Retired Police Chief Assists in Restraining Passenger During Flight Incident

On August 6, 2026, retired Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O'Hara intervened during a United Airlines flight from Newark to Fort Lauderdale after a passenger became disruptive. O'Hara, who was traveling with his wife, observed flight attendants attempting to de-escalate the situation for approximately 45 minutes as the passenger became increasingly agitated after being denied additional alcohol. The passenger reportedly shouted profanities and made threatening remarks before lunging at the flight attendants. O'Hara, along with two off-duty Bergen County sheriff's deputies, helped restrain the passenger using plastic flex cuffs until the plane landed safely. United Airlines confirmed the incident, stating that local law enforcement met the flight upon arrival to address the situation. O'Hara emphasized the importance of airline crew training and the availability of restraints for managing violent passengers. As of the afternoon of August 6, authorities had not publicly identified the passenger or announced any criminal charges.