As the friend of a police officer, I respect his desire to protect and serve and am grateful for his and his fellow officers’ hard work and dedication. He once expressed to me after finishing a shift that on-duty instincts don’t truly turn off when he clocks out, and there is no such thing as an “off-duty” cop. While browsing travel news last week, I came across a video that illustrates that sentiment.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tK6CG8CLMb0[/youtube]

On March 30, Justin Rogers, a corporal with the Pinole Police Department in California who was vacationing in Hawaii, was waiting in the security line at the Honolulu International Airport (HNL) when he saw a woman begin to attack a female Transportation Security Administration agent. He had just removed his shoes when he noticed the woman was punching the agent, and there were no other agents around to come to her aid.

“When I turned around, I saw a woman with her arms flailing, screaming at this TSA agent,” Rogers said. “The next thing I know, I heard what I thought was skin to skin contact, somebody getting punched. Sure enough, she was punching her.” 

The off-duty police officer jumped over the security barrier to intervene and stop the assailant, who had the TSA agent in a headlock. He was able to subdue the attacker and secure her in handcuffs when other agents arrived . . . and still catch his flight home in time!

The woman was arrested and charged with assault. She is reportedly a homeless woman who was wandering the airport and became angry when the agent asked her to put out her cigarette.

TSA later lauded his efforts in a statement from spokesperson Sterling Payne: “TSA salutes Pinole, Calif., Police Officer Justin Rogers for his swift actions after coming to the aid of a TSA officer who was being assaulted. His actions, coupled with the quick response of airport security, minimized disruptions to the traveling public.”

— Monique Barrett, advertising and editorial coordinator