Convicted Murderer’s Appointment To Public Safety Board Sets Off Salem City Police
Mark Tanos
Contributor
December 30, 2025
The Salem Police Union is demanding the city council reverse its decision to reappoint a man who served 28 years for murder to a board that reviews officer conduct.
The Salem City Council voted 5-4 on Dec. 8 to reappoint Kyle Hedquist to the Community Police Review Board, KATU reported. Hedquist was convicted in 1995 for killing Roseburg teenager Nikki Thrasher. Prosecutors said he admitted to murdering her to prevent her from reporting him to authorities.
A judge sentenced Hedquist to life without parole. He also faced separate convictions for armed robbery and kidnapping after holding up a Pizza Hut at gunpoint. Former Democratic Oregon Gov. Kate Brown commuted his sentence in 2022.
He was previously unanimously appointed by the city council to the Community Police Review Board in 2024, KATU reported.
https://dailycaller.com/2025/12/30/kyle-hedquist-salem-police-union-murderer-review-board-appointment/
