Off-duty cop stops unruly passenger on US Airways flight
The Associated PressJun. 21, 2007 01:53 PM
KENNEWICK, Wash. - An off-duty Benton County sheriff's deputy stopped an out-of-control passenger who tried to open an emergency exit during a flight from Phoenix to Seattle.
Doug Stanley, who has been with the sheriff's office for 8 1/2 years, was returning June 12 from a vacation in Missouri.
Stanley said he was aboard US Airways Flight 78 when a passenger in the seat in front of him began acting erratically and attempted to open the emergency exit door. Flight attendants attempted to calm the man, whose name has not been released by authorities.
When the captain announced the plane's final descent into Seattle-Tacoma International Airport about 11 p.m., the man refused to put his seat belt on and was dismantling his seat, said Stanley, an Army Airborne veteran.
Flight attendants tried to get the man into his seat, but Stanley said when he "reached up to pop open the door," the deputy intervened.
Stanley showed the man his police identification and told him to sit down, but when that didn't work he wrestled him away from the door.
"Talking was pretty much over at that point," said Stanley, who injured his shoulder during the struggle.
Stanley took the man to the back of the plane, where he was handcuffed with plastic zip ties. He said the man screamed for a bit but eventually settled down and asked Stanley what had happened.
Port of Seattle police officers took the man off the plane and he was later taken to be medically evaluated. Stanley filled out a statement, retrieved his luggage and drove back to the Tri-Cities.
"We're grateful for the assistance of the officer for the help he provided our flight attendants and customers on board that flight," said Liz Landau, spokeswoman for US Airways.
Port of Seattle police Sgt. Ron Fletcher said his department will send a commendation letter to Stanley.
"The guy definitely stepped up. He could have just sat there," Fletcher said. "He went above and beyond the call of duty on that one."
Fletcher said he wasn't sure what will happen to the man. He said possible charges would depend on his mental health.
Stanley has not returned to work because of the shoulder injury.
"The one place I would never imagine getting hurt is on vacation in an airplane," he said.
The Associated PressJun. 21, 2007 01:53 PM
KENNEWICK, Wash. - An off-duty Benton County sheriff's deputy stopped an out-of-control passenger who tried to open an emergency exit during a flight from Phoenix to Seattle.
Doug Stanley, who has been with the sheriff's office for 8 1/2 years, was returning June 12 from a vacation in Missouri.
Stanley said he was aboard US Airways Flight 78 when a passenger in the seat in front of him began acting erratically and attempted to open the emergency exit door. Flight attendants attempted to calm the man, whose name has not been released by authorities.
When the captain announced the plane's final descent into Seattle-Tacoma International Airport about 11 p.m., the man refused to put his seat belt on and was dismantling his seat, said Stanley, an Army Airborne veteran.
Flight attendants tried to get the man into his seat, but Stanley said when he "reached up to pop open the door," the deputy intervened.
Stanley showed the man his police identification and told him to sit down, but when that didn't work he wrestled him away from the door.
"Talking was pretty much over at that point," said Stanley, who injured his shoulder during the struggle.
Stanley took the man to the back of the plane, where he was handcuffed with plastic zip ties. He said the man screamed for a bit but eventually settled down and asked Stanley what had happened.
Port of Seattle police officers took the man off the plane and he was later taken to be medically evaluated. Stanley filled out a statement, retrieved his luggage and drove back to the Tri-Cities.
"We're grateful for the assistance of the officer for the help he provided our flight attendants and customers on board that flight," said Liz Landau, spokeswoman for US Airways.
Port of Seattle police Sgt. Ron Fletcher said his department will send a commendation letter to Stanley.
"The guy definitely stepped up. He could have just sat there," Fletcher said. "He went above and beyond the call of duty on that one."
Fletcher said he wasn't sure what will happen to the man. He said possible charges would depend on his mental health.
Stanley has not returned to work because of the shoulder injury.
"The one place I would never imagine getting hurt is on vacation in an airplane," he said.
