Kyle Hedquist (Oregon Department of Corrections)
The Officials in Oregon City is now signaling it may reconsider the controversial reappointment of a police oversight board member with a past murder conviction
The woke Salem City Council has appointed a convicted murderer — a man who executed a teenage girl — to serve on the city’s Police Review Board.
The individual, who served time for the cold-blooded killing of a teen, is now being entrusted with reviewing police conduct, evaluating officer discipline, and shaping “community trust” initiatives — despite having once committed one of the most violent crimes imaginable.
Kyle Hedquist, who coldly executed 19-year-old Nikki Thrasher in 1994, will now help review complaints against officers, thanks to a narrow 5-4 vote.
City officials are doubling down, touting his “rehabilitation” and claiming his criminal past offers a “valuable perspective” on justice.
At just 17, Hedquist shot Thrasher in the back of the head in an execution-style killing, leaving her body on a rural road to cover up a burglary.
He was sentenced to life without parole for aggravated murder, plus additional time for armed robbery and kidnapping in a separate Pizza Hut heist, according to NBC16.
After 28 years behind bars, Hedquist’s sentence was commuted in 2022 by former Democrat Gov. Kate Brown, who emphasized “second chances” for young offenders.
Initially appointed in 2024 without full background checks, Hedquist was reappointed on December 8, 2025, despite recommendations against it.
Police and firefighter unions have launched campaigns against the move, warning it undermines public safety.
According to the Salem Police Employees Union:
The Mess That Was Created
Five Salem city councilors (Councilors Irvin Brown, Linda Nishioka, Vanessa Nordyke, Mai Vang, and Micki Varney) created a credibility crisis by appointing without vetting— and then reappointing —a convicted aggravated murderer to both the Community Police Review Board, a body meant to build public trust in law enforcement accountability, and the Civil Service Commission, which governs how fire service (and in some cases police) employees are hired, promoted, disciplined, or removed.
Members of the Board have quasi-judicial authority over personnel decisions related to our fire and public safety professionals.
The damage was compounded when officials admitted they failed to conduct routine background checks, yet still moved forward with the appointment despite explicit warnings from prosecutors and law enforcement that this decision would undermine public confidence and basic governance standards.
As it stands today, by a 5-4 vote, convicted murderer Kyle Hedquist is now appointed to both the City of Salem Community Police Review Board and the Civil Service Commission.
Who they Appointed
Kyle Hedquist is a convicted aggravated murderer who, in 1994, murdered a teenage foster child, Nikki Thrasher, by luring her to a remote area in Douglas County, Oregon, and shooting her in the back of the head – ‘execution style’ – to avoid being reported for theft.
He was sentenced to life in prison without parole. Hedquist had additional convictions related to robbery and kidnapping for robbing a local Pizza Hut and holding workers and customers at gunpoint.
Despite this history, Kyle Hedquist was released from Oregon State Penitentiary and had his sentence commuted by Governor Kate Brown in 2022 as part of her progressive public safety reforms. This was done without notifying the victims.
Upon the state’s attempt to locate Hedquist upon his release, Douglas County refused him because of safety concerns related to victims of his crimes still living in the community. He was subsequently released into Marion County against the strong opposition of then-District Attorney Paige Clarkson and Sheriff Joe Kast.
One councilor has already flipped, signaling a possible revote in January 2026.
Linda Nishioka — Yes
Vanessa Nordyke — Yes (later reversed)
Micki Varney — Yes
Irvin Brown — Yes
Mai Vang — Yes
Julie Hoy (Mayor) — No
Shane Matthews — No
Deanna Gwyn — No
Paul Tigan — No
KATU reported:
In a Facebook post on Tuesday, Salem City Councilor and 2026 Mayoral Candidate Vanessa Nordyke publicly reversed her position on the reappointment following criticism from unions and feedback from residents.
“The police and firefighter unions each raised legitimate concerns that I hadn’t fully considered. After weighing this new information, I realized I should have sought broader input before the vote. He should be removed from the public safety boards,” said Nordyke.
Nordyke said in her post that city staff told her that Hedqust had a conviction for Aggravated Murder and Burglary from 1995.
She said she voted to reappoint him based on her understanding that he had demonstrated rehabilitation and had been a constructive member of the community since his release.
“By all accounts, he’s been a productive, contributing member of our community with no new criminal history in decades. He’s now a college graduate and a strong example of successful rehabilitation. The fact that he served on CPRB already and even completed a police ride-along without incident made a positive impression on me,” said Nordyke.
Nowning said councilors were aware of Hedquist’s criminal history by the time the vote occurred, even if some later said they did not know the full details.
“Once it got exposed, it went to a different committee. I think there’s a committee that kind of evaluates whether people should be on board or not, and they recommended the recommendation was no,” said Nowning. “So then when it came to city council they certainly knew of his criminal history. Of the two city counselors who voted yes, who I’ve spoken to, they both said they didn’t know the extent or the details of his crimes, but you know, if you have the internet and his name, you can easily find them,”
The post BACKPEDAL AFTER BACKLASH: Woke Salem City Council May Revisit Reappointment of Police Review Board Member Who Coldly Executed a Teenage Girl appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.