Rocky River Municipal Court

Rocky River Municipal Court Judge Donna Fitzsimmons sentenced former North Olmsted police officer Christopher Fox to five days in jail Tuesday.

(Patrick Cooley/NEOMG)

Christopher Fox, former North Olmsted police officer. Photo provided by city of North Olmsted.

NORTH OLMSTED, Ohio – Former North Olmsted police officer Christopher Fox, who held a New Year's Eve 2013 party at his home attended by dozens of teenagers, was sentenced to five days in jail, given three years probation and fined $500.

Fox previously pleaded no contest to allowing underage drinking, a first-degree misdemeanor.

Rocky River Municipal Court Judge Donna Fitzsimmons ordered Fox on Tuesday to attend Alcoholics Anonymous meetings and abstain from alcohol during his probation.

Police reports said around 60 people - many of whom were underage - were inside Fox's house when officers arrived in the early morning of Jan. 1, 2013 to investigate a report of people fighting in his front yard.

Court probation officer Judy Nash said Fox told her during a probation interview that he kicked everyone out of the house at one point, but many snuck back in while he was sleeping.

She said he stated that he tried his best to keep those not old enough to drink upstairs and away from alcohol in the basement.

Nash said backgrounds checks revealed Fox had no criminal history.

North Olmsted Police Chief Jamie Gallagher, who spoke briefly prior to the sentencing, called Fox's actions "embarrassing."

"A police officer should know better," he said.

Gallagher described Fox as an "average" officer during his time with the North Olmsted Police Department.

Fox was fired in November 2013. City officials said his dismissal was unrelated to the charges against him.

"The judge meted out responsibility and taught the children (who attended the party) there are consequences to their actions," special prosecutor Mark Schneider said after the sentencing.

Because Fox was a North Olmsted employee, Schneider, a private attorney, was assigned to the case to avoid a potential conflict of interest.

Tony Manning, an attorney representing Fox, did not return a voicemail seeking comment.