Newport police captain 'going out at the top of his game' [Corrected]

Craig Fox, who oversaw the detective division, retired after 31 years on the force Nov 4.

November 10, 2011|By Lauren Williams

After 31 years on the force, Newport Beach police Capt. Craig Fox is now enjoying the retired life.

FOR THE RECORD:
In the Nov. 11 article, "Retiring at the 'top of his game,'" it should say Capt. Craig Fox has two daughters about the same age as the boy he wrapped a blanket around, not a son as reported.

He ended his decades-long tenure with the NBPD on Nov. 4. The veteran officer who oversaw the detective division said he looks forward to spending more time with his family.

"I feel very fulfilled," Fox said. "I've literally grown up most of my adult life in that place."

Fox began working for NBPD when he was 19 and moved his way up through the ranks to become captain in 2010. Since his start in 1980, he has served under six police chiefs.

"[Fox's] institutional knowledge and the counsel he imparted to me during my first 15 months as the new chief has been extremely valuable and much appreciated," said Police Chief Jay Johnson in an email. "Capt. Fox is going out at the top of his game."

Among the more-memorable moments during his career was a busting a meth lab on Lido Island, and taking a toddler from parents who were arrested in connection with the drug operation.

Fox, who had a son about the same age at the time, tried to cover the boy with a blanket in the backseat before taking him to a safer place. The child in turn tried to cover Fox.

"Hopefully he's OK today," Fox said.

Although he's looking forward to a trip to Europe with his family next June, he'll miss his old colleagues.

"I've had great memories there, challenges, rewards," Fox said. "It's my second family."

lauren.williams@latimes.com

Twitter: @lawilliams30

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