A "legend," former Morris County Sheriff John Fox dies

Former Morris County Sheriff John M. Fox, who left an indelible mark on law enforcement in the county with his creation of the Sheriff's Labor Assistance Program and CrimeStoppers program, died at his Parsippany home Saturday after fighting a long illness, according to friends.

"He was the greatest friend a person could ever have," said John Sette, GOP chairman in Morris County who started CrimeStoppers with Fox in 1985, a decade after Fox was elected sheriff.  He served as sheriff from 1975 until 1992, after he was defeated in the 1992 Republican general election by current Sheriff Edward Rochford.

County Administrator John Bonanni called Fox -- who was in his early seventies and is married, with three children -- a legend.  He said that Fox changed the face of law enforcement through creation of innovative programs like SLAP, CrimeStoppers, K-9 and other units.

"I can honestly say he was the best," said Bonanni, who was head of the county's Human Services Department before becoming administrator.

"He was a legend for sure.  He made so many contributions and so many things exist in Morris County today because of John Fox," Bonanni said.

Bonanni recalled how Fox, as a freeholder, attended a Christmas gathering to which he brought seven boxes containing gifts for his colleagues.  His present to himself was a sweatshirt that said "Superman."

Fox was stunned when he lost the election in 1992 but recovered to later serve as a Parsippany councilman and a county freeholder.  He was a fierce advocate for his officers in the bureaus of corrections and law enforcement.  He had been serving the past few years as one of four county Board of Election commissioners but due to poor health he wasn't present for primary election night in June.

In January 2014, Rochford honored Fox at a public ceremony, where the audience gave Fox a standing ovation.  He was frail at the time but told the Daily Record he was receiving medical treatments and was optimistic though he declined to elaborate on his illness.

He also had received a Lifetime Achievement award for all his accomplishments from the State Troopers Coalition.  Fox had started his career as a police officer in Parsippany.

Please check back for further information and funeral details.

   Staff Writer Peggy Wright: 973-267-1142; pwright@GannettNJ.com.