Suit claims Santa Fe cop harassed boy over political T-shirt

GALVESTON � A Santa Fe couple claims a Santa Fe police officer verbally and physically attacked their minor son at the Galveston County Fair and Rodeo two years ago, recent court documents say.

In a lawsuit filed June 9 in Galveston County District Court, Warren and Terry Aldous accuse police officer Scott Heileman of berating the boy and knocking him off his feet during a chance encounter at the fair on April 26, 2009.

The younger Aldous was wearing a T-shirt which read "Elect Aldous" in support of his father and his brother who were running for Santa Fe City Council at the time, the suit says.

The suit alleges Heileman approached the boy in an extremely aggressive manner and shouted profanity-laced statements about the Aldouses to him.

Heileman made physical contact with the child using his hands, knocking him off his feet, the original petition says.

His parents contend he "was highly offended by the physical contact forced upon him when the defendant shoved him," adding the officer also attempted to land a punch during the incident.

"(The boy) was terrified for his life and at the same time was highly embarrassed by the event," the suit says.

"As a result of the incident, the child refuses to go anywhere alone and requested that his parents withdraw him from school and commence a home school program."

Consequently, the complainants seek unspecified damages and a jury trial.

Attorney Michael L. Aldous of Santa Fe is representing his parents and his younger brother in the case.

Galveston County 405th District Court Judge Wayne Mallia is presiding over the litigation.

Case No. 11-cv-915