EXCLUSIVE: School Resource Officer Eric Hendrix Alleges Workplace Harassment by Tolleson Superintendent Jeremy Calles

Tolleson police chief publicly questions Superintendent Calles’ motives, sparking controversy and raising concerns about potential hidden agendas.

Feb 13, 2025

A Tolleson police officer says he was forced out of his role as a school resource officer (SRO) after Superintendent Jeremy Calles and Board President Leezah Sun pushed for his removal—despite the Tolleson Police Department confirming to State 48 News that the officer was cleared of any misconduct. The district, meanwhile, has launched an independent investigation into a recent "takedown" of a student—an incident Calles is calling “unnecessary.”

The move raises serious questions as tensions between school leadership and law enforcement continue to escalate.

POLICE OFFICER CHOOSES TO ADDRESS TOLLESON CITY COUNCIL PUBLICLY

The City of Tolleson was set to enter an Executive Session when legal counsel informed officials that Officer Eric Hendrix had requested his employment matter be heard in a public meeting rather than a private one. As a result, Hendrix’s statement regarding his alleged mistreatment was addressed in open session at the City Council Meeting on February 11.

Officer Eric Hendrix addressed the Tolleson City Council on Tuesday night. This is an edited version of his testimony.

Hendrix, who served as a SRO at Tolleson, alleged that he had been subjected to a hostile work environment and pressured to leave his position by Superintendent Jeremy Calles. He stated that the tensions began after he arrested a student involved in a domestic violence incident with his girlfriend. Hendrix described how the student resisted arrest, engaging in a physical altercation with him and other officers.

Following this incident, Hendrix claimed he experienced continuous harassment from Calles, who allegedly pressured him to drop the charges against the student. Hendrix refused, and according to his statement, Calles persistently sought his removal from the school. Hendrix reported his concerns to city management and the police chief.

Hendrix also alleged that Calles accused him of police brutality and that Calles held a personal grudge against him. He stated that multiple attempts to speak with Calles were ignored and that he was later informed his movements were being monitored through campus security cameras.

In another incident, Hendrix described responding to a disorderly student making verbal threats toward school staff. When he asked school officials how they wanted him to proceed, he was given the go-ahead to intervene. Hendrix said he took the student down to gain control of the situation. Shortly after, Hendrix claimed he was informed that Calles was heard saying, “Why the F— is Hendrix still on my campus?”

The next day, Hendrix was told by the school principal that Calles had ordered him not to return to work and that he was no longer permitted on campus. Hendrix stated that this decision was made by both Jeremy Calles and Leezuh Sun.

Hendrix shared that the situation has taken a toll on him both personally and professionally, affecting his sleep and well-being as a father and husband. He expressed that his biggest regret was the perception that he had abandoned the students, emphasizing that he never wanted them to believe he had simply walked away.

After Hendrix’s statement, Tolleson Police Chief Mendoza addressed the council, stating, “At no point did we receive notice that we were having any problem with any school resource officer.” Mendoza concluded by asserting that the situation “was clearly harassment.”

The matter is expected to draw further scrutiny as officials assess the allegations and potential next steps.

STATEMENT FROM TOLLESON POLICE DEPARTMENT

Tolleson Police allege retaliation against School Resource Officer (SRO) Eric Hendrix after he reported a “near miss” firearm incident at Tolleson Union High School. Following his report, Superintendent Jeremy Calles and School Board President Leezah Sun pressured for his removal, despite an internal review clearing him of misconduct. Hendrix later requested reassignment, citing a hostile work environment and surveillance concerns. Sun, who has a history of conflicts with the Tolleson Police Department, is also pushing to terminate the SRO program. The police department has condemned the district’s actions and reaffirmed its commitment to school safety.

STATEMENT FROM TOLLESON UNION HIGH SCHOOL SUPERINTENDENT JEREMY CALLES

State 48 News first asked Tolleson Union High School District for response to this latest incident since Monday.

Today, February 13, 2025, Tolleson Superintendent Jeremy Calles provided the following written response:

Security Lapses at Tolleson Union High: A Near Miss

Tolleson Police Chief Rudy Mendoza says, on September 16, 2024, a student at Tolleson Union High School dropped a loaded firearm in the training room, retrieved it, and fled. Instead of immediately calling 911, teachers contacted the football coach, who attempted to locate the student himself. Law enforcement was not alerted until minutes later, and officers were given incorrect information about the weapon’s location. The gun remained unaccounted for on campus until it was recovered from a vehicle trunk over an hour later.

Tolleson Police Chief Rudy Mendoza called it a “near miss,” raising urgent concerns about the school’s delayed response, miscommunication, and failure to follow emergency protocols. The incident highlights critical gaps in school safety procedures that demand immediate review.

TOLLESON UNION HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT ONGOING INVESTIGATION

Superintendent Calles says an investigator must wait until after the February 20 court case to speak to all witnesses. Videos will be released for public judgment. The superintendent dismisses Officer Hendrix’s comments as trivial.

“The investigator is unable to talk to all witnesses of the first event until the case is adjudicated in court, which is expected to take place on February 20. Upon the proper steps being taken, we are willing to release the videos of both events to the public so they can decide if our efforts to ensure our students are treated properly on campus are an overreaction. As for the more trivial comments by Officer Hendrix, I can't remember an instance where he has ever said hi and I have ignored him.”
-Jeremy Calles | February 13, 2025

THE MORE YOU KNOW

State 48 News is committed to bringing you the whole story. Please review Officer Eric Hendrix’ address to the Tolleson City Council here.