Tolleson School District Case: Student Excessive Force Lawsuit and Investigation

When a school resource officer uses force against a student, questions can arise about student rights, police accountability, and a school district’s response. Those issues are at the center of the Tolleson School District case, which stems from a September 2024 confrontation between Alejandro Vasquez Romero, a student at Tolleson Union High School, and school resource officer Eric Hendrix.

According to Romero’s 2026 lawsuit, Hendrix used excessive force during the encounter, allegedly punching the student and striking him with his knees. The incident prompted separate investigations that reached differing conclusions. An outside investigator hired by the school district found the force unwarranted and excessive, while the police department’s internal review found that some actions before handcuffing complied with policy but certain actions afterward did not.

The lawsuit later moved to federal court, where the parties continued to contest the case. As of September 21, 2026, the court docket reflects ongoing proceedings, with no final ruling on the claims.

The Tolleson High School Incident

In September 2024, Alejandro Vasquez Romero was sent to the student services building after an argument on campus at Tolleson Union High School.

According to the lawsuit and reports describing school surveillance footage, school resource officer Eric Hendrix stopped Romero in the courtyard, pushed him against a wall, and punched him. The footage reportedly shows Hendrix delivering knee strikes and continuing to use force after Romero was handcuffed. Sgt. Jondrigus Fisher repeatedly told Hendrix to stop, according to reporting on the incident.

Officer Diana Rivas was also involved in restraining Romero during the courtyard confrontation, according to reports on the incident. Neither Hendrix nor Officer Diana Rivas activated their body-worn cameras, but school surveillance cameras captured the confrontation, providing evidence for investigators reviewing the incident.

The lawsuit describes wrist and facial injuries, minor bleeding, and a contusion near Romero’s eye. It also states that Romero later received a diagnosis of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Conflicting Investigation Findings

The investigations into the Tolleson school resource officer incident reached different conclusions about the force used against Alejandro Vasquez Romero. The school district hired outside investigator Rader, who concluded that Eric Hendrix’s use of force was unwarranted and excessive.

The Tolleson Police Department’s internal review drew a distinction between the actions taken before and after Romero was handcuffed. Investigators found that the force used before handcuffing complied with department policy, but the push to Romero’s face and the knee strikes afterward violated policy. The department’s response was to provide Hendrix with coaching and counseling, including guidance on proper body-worn camera use.

The department initially reported no wrongdoing and later publicly called Rader’s report “deeply flawed.” It also declined to make Hendrix available for an interview with the outside investigator.

Allegations in the Student’s Lawsuit

On June 19, 2026, Alejandro Vasquez Romero filed a lawsuit in Maricopa County Superior Court over the September 2024 confrontation at Tolleson Union High School. The Tolleson school resource officer lawsuit names the following defendants:

• The City of Tolleson
• The Tolleson Police Department
• The Tolleson Union High School District
• Tolleson Union High School
• Officers Eric Hendrix, Diana Rivas, and John Brand

According to the complaint, Romero alleges that Hendrix used excessive force in violation of his Fourth Amendment rights. He also brings claims involving battery, negligence, and negligent training, alleging that the defendants failed to meet their legal duties.

Romero has demanded a jury trial and seeks damages for medical expenses, physical and emotional pain, lost income, and loss of enjoyment of life. His attorney, Caitlin Engstrand, said, “Our client is a young man who had the courage to stand up for himself.”

These claims remain allegations. The court has not issued a final ruling establishing liability, and the defendants have an opportunity to contest them.

The School District’s Response

Tolleson Union High School District Superintendent Jeremy Calles asked the city to remove Eric Hendrix from his school resource officer (SRO) role after the September 2024 confrontation. However, the Tolleson Police Department declined to replace him, maintaining that its internal investigation found no policy violations. Calles disagreed and commissioned an independent investigation into the incident.

In February 2025, Hendrix became involved in another campus incident while restraining a different student during an encounter involving the school principal. On February 7, Calles directed school staff to bar Hendrix from campus. The circumstances of this second incident differed from the 2024 confrontation, and the outside investigator did not find Hendrix acted improperly in that case.

In July 2025, the district ended its school resource officer contract with the Tolleson Police Department. It then arranged for officers from other jurisdictions, including Phoenix, Avondale, and Glendale, to serve its schools. The decision marked a significant change in how the district provided campus security.

Where the Tolleson School District Case Stands in Federal Court

On July 24, 2026, the defendants moved the Tolleson School District case from Maricopa County Superior Court to the U.S. District Court for the District of Arizona. The federal court assigned it case number 2:2026cv05225.

In August, Romero asked the federal court to send the case back to the state court where he originally filed it. The defendants opposed his request, arguing that the case should remain in federal court.

In September, the Tolleson Union High School District filed its formal response to the lawsuit. On September 21, the court removed several unnamed parties from the case, including unidentified individuals and business entities. This procedural step did not resolve the main claims against the named defendants.

As of the latest docket reviewed, the case remains in federal court, and the motion to remand is awaiting resolution.

Key Takeaways From the Tolleson School District Excessive Force Case

The Tolleson School District case raises an important question for schools and families everywhere: how much force should a school resource officer be allowed to use when dealing with a student?

Here are three key points to understand:

• Students have constitutional rights at school. The Fourth Amendment protects students against unreasonable searches and seizures, including unreasonable uses of force by law enforcement officers.
• Responsibility may extend beyond the officer. Depending on the evidence and applicable law, a city or school district may also face legal claims related to an officer’s conduct, supervision, or training. Each claim depends on its specific facts and legal requirements.
• Act promptly after a potential injury. Arizona law sets deadlines for many personal injury claims, including special notice requirements for claims against public entities. Families should seek legal advice early to understand which deadlines apply.

The next key development to watch is the judge’s decision on whether to return the case to state court. This post will be updated as new information becomes available.

If your child has experienced a similar incident involving a school resource officer, National Injury Help can help your family understand potential legal options. Contact the team to request a free, confidential case review.

References

1. https://dockets.justia.com/docket/arizona/azdce/2%3A2026cv05225/1508685
2. https://www.abc15.com/news/region-west-valley/tolleson/new-lawsuit-accuses-tolleson-sro-of-using-excessive-force-on-a-student
3. https://www.12news.com/article/news/local/valley/outside-investigation-finds-tolleson-sro-used-excessive-force-against-student-police-reports-disagree/75-267eb025-47e4-4eca-b461-f94c0462ca37
4. https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/southwest-valley-education/2026/06/25/alejandro-vasquez-romero-sues-tolleson-union-high-school-resouce-officer/90701072007/
5. https://www.phoenixnewtimes.com/news/tolleson-police-defend-student-punching-cop-22088624/
6. https://www.kjzz.org/education/2025-07-09/tolleson-school-district-ends-police-contract-over-excessive-force-investigation