Costa Mesa park dedicated to officers
Deirdre Newman
Jimmy Brown was one of the first to try out the new swings at the
dedication of Ketchum-Libolt Park Friday.
“Higher! Higher! As high as the sky,” the 3-year-old yelled
excitedly to his dad, Jim.
It was a fitting tribute as a crowd honored helicopter pilots Dave
Ketchum and Mike Libolt, the only Costa Mesa police officers ever to
die on duty.
Ketchum and Libolt were killed March 10, 1987, in a helicopter
crash while chasing a stolen vehicle.
On Friday, city officials dedicated a Westside park on Maple
Street in their honor.
The event allowed those who had mourned the loss of the two
officers 16 years ago to celebrate their life in the joyful setting
of a park with a playground.
“The park reflects life, and it’s a place people can come, a place
of excitement and energy,” Police Chief John Hensley said.
Both officers were Costa Mesa residents and Vietnam veterans.
Ketchum left behind his wife, Meg, and two daughters. Libolt was
engaged at the time of his death and also had two children.
A plaque honoring the two officers is at the entrance to the park,
which boasts a huge eucalyptus tree that provides some shade for a
picnic area. And Henry’s Market donated $10,000 to the Costa Mesa
Community Foundation for playground equipment.
More than 150 people attended the dedication, including police
officers, residents and members of Ketchum and Libolt’s families.
Ketchum’s daughter, Hilary, 29, said she appreciated the city’s
commitment to creating a park honoring her father and Libolt.
“It’s a great idea to have a park,” Ketchum said. “It’s a place
where we can joyfully celebrate our father and our father’s life.”
Sgt. Clay Epperson brought his two sons -- Ian and Alex -- to the
dedication. Epperson, who started as a cadet with the department in
1978, reminisced about the two officers.
“They were wonderful guys -- salt of the earth,” Epperson said.
“Both of their daughters asked for us to remember them telling jokes.
Dave was a family man. He loved flying and loved the outdoors. Mike
was a funny guy. He could take a police briefing and have you in
tears laughing.”
Planning Commissioner Katrina Foley said the park was yet another
example of the city’s commitment to improving neighborhoods.
“It’s a wonderful addition to the city,” Foley said. “I love that
they preserved [the eucalyptus tree]. We need more pocket parks like
this.”
Steve Honer and his wife, who live on Victoria Street, were so
anxious for the park to open that they brought their three children
to the dedication.
“We’ve been waiting so long and watching them build it,” Honer
said. “I would drive out of my way every day and see what’s going on.
I finally saw [people there] today and said, ‘Honey, get dressed.
They’re opening the park today.’”
Honer said his family will probably visit the park three times a
week.
“We have a big area in back, but we can bring them here,” Honer
said. “This is much better and safer.”
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