White Center Park renamed in honor of King County Sheriff’s deputy Steve Cox

County Council approves creation of “permanent tribute” in the community he served

The Metropolitan King County Council today voted unanimously to rename White Center Park as “Steve Cox Memorial Park” in honor of fallen Deputy Steve Cox.

Cox, a veteran King County Sheriff’s Deputy who also served the public as a prosecutor in several Washington Counties, was shot and killed while questioning a suspect on Dec. 2, 2006. A native of White Center and a property owner in the area, Cox was the elected president of the North Highline Unincorporated Area Council at the time of his death. A memorial committee set up through the North Highline UAC proposed the renaming of White Center Park in Cox’s honor.

The ordinance was proposed by Councilmember Dow Constantine, whose Council district includes the North Highline area, and was co-sponsored by the other eight Council members.

“I asked my colleagues to join me in sponsoring this legislation to express our unanimous support for the community proposal to rename White Center Park in Deputy Cox’s memory,” said Constantine. “Our common goal is to create a permanent tribute to Steve’s work in the North Highline community.”

“Committee members considered this to be an especially appropriate tribute to Steve because he played baseball on the White Center Park fields as a Little Leaguer and then a teenager,” said Russ Kay, chair of the Steve Cox Memorial Committee and a former president of the North Highline UAC. “Having the neighborhood’s largest park bear his name will provide a daily reminder of Steve’s contributions to the community as both a sheriff’s deputy and a community leader.”

In addition to the park renaming, the recent makeover of White Center Heights Park included the creation of a steel column art piece that also bears Cox’s name. “This community must not and will not forget the tremendous sacrifice Steve made and in some small way we hope his family will be comforted by our efforts,” said Kay.

“The park is a fitting tribute to a man whose focus was on more than just enforcing the law,” said Council Chair Larry Gossett. “It is a gathering place, somewhere for people to meet and talk to their neighbors and learn more their community. Officer Cox knew a strong community was the best weapon against crime and he gave his life to ensure that White Center was a better community.”

“The memorial name for this park will serve as a constant reminder of how one person’s dedication and ideas to improve their community are important and will long be remembered,” said Councilmember Kathy Lambert, who chairs the Law, Justice and Human Services Committee.

“Steve Cox was a community hero,” said Councilmember Bob Ferguson. “Like all of our Sheriff’s deputies, Steve put his life on the line day in and day out to protect the neighborhoods and the people he loved. The park is a fitting tribute not only to Steve’s community values but to the values of the communities that produced this great man.”

“Steve Cox stood for community safety,” said Councilmember Jane Hague. “His legacy will live on in this park and through positive opportunities for kids. His death is a reminder of how important it is to keep a focused eye on gang activity in King County.”

“Steve Cox left a lucrative career as a lawyer to become a community police officer in the neighborhood where he grew up,” said Councilmember Reagan Dunn. “That’s true community service and bravery, and he has set the standard for which all public servants must strive.”

“Deputy Cox paid the ultimate sacrifice for the community he loved,” said Councilmember Julia Patterson. “Through the Steve Cox Memorial Park we can pay tribute to his enduring legacy and remember the values he exemplified.”

“Renaming this park after Steve Cox will serve as an everlasting reminder to White Center as well as to the entire Puget Sound region of how much difference one individual can make in their own community,” said Councilmember Pete von Reichbauer.

“Steve Cox was a man who went above and beyond the call of duty,” said Councilmember Larry Phillips. “That extra commitment and care is what made him so effective at his work improving safety and building community in White Center, what made him so beloved to those who knew him, and what will allow his legacy to live on at Steve Cox Memorial Park.”

Read more about this legislation on the King County Council’s LEGISEARCH system.
Type in "2007-0440"