United States of America
Headstone of James David Ketchum
U.S. Army · United States United States

James David Ketchum

1987

James David Ketchum served the U.S. Army for 2 years. James served in the Vietnam War and the Cold War.

How He Died
Manner Accident
Cause Multiple traumatic injuries
What Happened
Police Officer Dave Ketchum and Police Officer John Libolt were killed when their helicopter was involved in a midair collision with the Newport Beach Police Department's helicopter while providing air support to a vehicle pursuit along MacArthur Boulevard. The Costa Mesa's Hughes 500E helicopter's rotor blades sheered off, causing the aircraft to fall from the sky just south of the UC Irvine campus. Newport Beach's helicopter was able to make an emergency landing. A civilian observer flying in the Costa Mesa helicopter was also killed. The driver of the fleeing vehicle was apprehended and charged with murder.
Keepsakes
James David Ketchum
James David Ketchum
Service Record
U.S. Army
1966 – 1967
Also Served
Costa Mesa Police Department
Police Officer
In Our Keeping
Permanent identifier neuraspine_01krbxtn1mdzj15tjtn51252zy
Record added August 2, 2026 neuraweb.nw
Stewarded by neuraweb.nw
Last updated August 2, 2026

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