An off-duty California police officer subdued a 43-year-old homeless woman who allegedly attacked a U.S. Transportation Security Administration worker Saturday at Honolulu Airport.
The attack, which was caught on surveillance video, led to the arrest of Wailana Haiola on suspicion of third-degree assault.
She was taken by ambulance to the Castle Medical Center for evaluation.
According to Department of Public Safety spokeswoman Toni Schwartz, an airport security guard told Haiola to put out her cigarette.
Haiola got upset, walked away clearly distressed and hit signs, said Schwartz.
She then assaulted a uniformed TSA worker without provocation at the Checkpoint 3 exit line, Schwartz said.
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Justin Rogers — an off-duty Pinole, Calif. police officer — was standing in the security check line and had his shoes off. Rogers heard the commotion, jumped over the barriers and, using a neck lock, wrestled Haiola to the ground.
Haiola was arrested by airport deputy sheriffs.
The TSA praised Rogers for his quick and decisive actions.
"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. Officer Rogers, who was off-duty at the time, witnessed the attack and immediately subdued the individual, preventing further injury to the TSA officer. His actions, coupled with the quick response of airport security, minimized disruptions to the traveling public," said TSA spokeswoman Lorie Dankers in a statement this morning
The TSA officer continues to recover from the injuries sustained in the attack.
