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.”