The improved Ketchum-Libolt Park in Costa Mesa, CA, on Monday, October 12, 2026. The park was dedicated in 2005 to Costa Mesa police officers James “Dave” Ketchum and John “Mike” Libolt, whose lives were lost in a police helicopter crash on March 10, 1987. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Katie Wright, daughter of John “Mike” Libolt, left, and Hilary Ketchum, daughter of James “Dave” Ketchum, join officials as they use a giant scissors to cut the ribbon on the improved Ketchum-Libolt Park in Costa Mesa, CA, on Monday, October 12, 2026. The park was originally dedicated in 2005 to Costa Mesa police officers James “Dave” Ketchum and John “Mike” Libolt, whose lives were lost in a police helicopter crash on March 10, 1987. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Costa Mesa Police Chief Joyce LaPointe during a ceremony to for the improved Ketchum-Libolt Park in Costa Mesa, CA, on Monday, October 12, 2026. The park was originally dedicated in 2005 to Costa Mesa police officers James “Dave” Ketchum and John “Mike” Libolt, whose lives were lost in a police helicopter crash on March 10, 1987. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Katie Wright, left, Rebecca West, center, and Brooke Wright, the daughter, wife, and granddaughter of John “Mike” Libolt, during a ceremony to for the improved Ketchum-Libolt Park in Costa Mesa, CA, on Monday, October 12, 2026. The park was originally dedicated in 2005 to Costa Mesa police officers James “Dave” Ketchum and John “Mike” Libolt, whose lives were lost in a police helicopter crash on March 10, 1987. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Orange County Supervisor Katrina Foley, left, California Assemblywoman Cottie Petrie-Norris, center and Costa Mesa Police Chief Joyce LaPointe plays on equipment at the improved Ketchum-Libolt Park in Costa Mesa, CA, on Monday, October 12, 2026. The park was originally dedicated in 2005 to Costa Mesa police officers James “Dave” Ketchum and John “Mike” Libolt, whose lives were lost in a police helicopter crash on March 10, 1987. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Costa Mesa Police Chaplin Dave Brooks during a ceremony for the improved Ketchum-Libolt Park in Costa Mesa, CA, on Monday, October 12, 2026. The park was originally dedicated in 2005 to Costa Mesa police officers James “Dave” Ketchum and John “Mike” Libolt, whose lives were lost in a police helicopter crash on March 10, 1987. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
People bow their heads as Costa Mesa Police Chaplin Dave Brooks opens a ceremony for the improved Ketchum-Libolt Park in Costa Mesa, CA, on Monday, October 12, 2026. The park was originally dedicated in 2005 to Costa Mesa police officers James “Dave” Ketchum and John “Mike” Libolt, whose lives were lost in a police helicopter crash on March 10, 1987. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
The improved Ketchum-Libolt Park in Costa Mesa, CA, on Monday, October 12, 2026. The park was dedicated in 2005 to Costa Mesa police officers James “Dave” Ketchum and John “Mike” Libolt, whose lives were lost in a police helicopter crash on March 10, 1987. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Hilary Ketchum, daughter of James “Dave” Ketchum, listens as Police Chaplin Dave Brooks as he talks about her father during a ceremony for the reopening of the improved Ketchum-Libolt Park in Costa Mesa, CA, on Monday, October 12, 2026. The park was originally dedicated in 2005 to Costa Mesa police officers James “Dave” Ketchum and John “Mike” Libolt, whose lives were lost in a police helicopter crash on March 10, 1987. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Cousins Regina Vavarrete, left, and Mateo Pasallo play on a helicopter at the improved Ketchum-Libolt Park in Costa Mesa, CA, on Monday, October 12, 2026. The park was originally dedicated in 2005 to Costa Mesa police officers James “Dave” Ketchum and John “Mike” Libolt, whose lives were lost in a police helicopter crash on March 10, 1987. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Costa Mesa Mayor Pro Tem Manuel during a ceremony for the improved Ketchum-Libolt Park in Costa Mesa, CA, on Monday, October 12, 2026. The park was originally dedicated in 2005 to Costa Mesa police officers James “Dave” Ketchum and John “Mike” Libolt, whose lives were lost in a police helicopter crash on March 10, 1987. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Fisher Derderian, 6, plays on the swings in the improved Ketchum-Libolt Park in Costa Mesa, CA, on Monday, October 12, 2026. The park was originally dedicated in 2005 to Costa Mesa police officers James “Dave” Ketchum and John “Mike” Libolt, whose lives were lost in a police helicopter crash on March 10, 1987. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
On Costa Mesa’s west side, a small park was opened in 2005 to pay tribute to two local police officers who died in a helicopter crash.
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Today, after the recent completion of a $2.5 million upgrade, Ketchum-Libolt Park has even more features to draw community members and continue to remind residents about Costa Mesa Police Officers James “Dave” Ketchum and John “Mike” Libolt, who died in that 1987 crash.
The park at Maple and Victoria streets was expanded using an adjacent parkway and now boasts new playground equipment, a lush lawn area, picnic shelters, new walkways and better lighting.
Helicopter and law enforcement themes have been incorporated. And community members contributed poetry that has been stamped into the park’s concrete.
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“There is something especially meaningful about honoring Senior Officers Dave Ketchum and Mike Libolt through a neighborhood park,” Police Chief Joyce LaPointe said in a statement. She participated earlier this week in a ribbon-cutting that was attended by friends and family of the two men as well as department and community leaders.
“This is a place where children will play, families will spend time together, and neighbors will get to know one another. Those everyday moments reflect the community our officers work to protect,” LaPointe said. “As this park begins its next chapter, it also gives us an opportunity to introduce Dave and Mike’s story to another generation. When someone asks about the names on the sign, we have a story to share about service, courage, sacrifice and two officers whose commitment to Costa Mesa is still remembered.”
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