BERGEN COUNTY, N.J. — Two off-duty Bergen County Sheriff’s officers jumped into action Wednesday when a drunken passenger became unruly aboard a flight from Newark to Florida, helping restrain the man before the plane landed safely.

The officers were among three passengers who helped subdue the 36-year-old Springfield man after he allegedly became aggressive toward flight attendants on United Airlines Flight 1364 from Newark Liberty International Airport to Fort Lauderdale.

The incident was first reported Friday by NJ.com.

Former Newark police director and recently retired Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara was seated toward the front of the plane when he heard the commotion behind him.

The passenger had allegedly become irate after flight attendants told him he could no longer order alcohol.

O’Hara said the situation escalated when the man got up and lunged toward the flight attendants.

O’Hara and two other passengers seated near the back of the plane then intervened.

One of the off-duty Bergen County sheriff’s officers had flexicuffs, allowing the group to restrain the passenger and secure him in his seat for the remainder of the flight.

“We were able to get some restraints, some flexicuffs and eventually get the guy handcuffed and put him back in the seat, with the seatbelt on,” O’Hara said in an interview with Fox News.

O’Hara praised the flight attendants for remaining calm throughout the incident and working to protect the other passengers.

The plane, a Boeing 737-900 carrying 174 passengers and four flight attendants, landed in Fort Lauderdale without further incident.

The passenger was removed from the aircraft by Broward County Sheriff’s Office deputies after landing. He was later identified as a 36-year-old man from Springfield and charged with disorderly intoxication.

United Airlines thanked the passengers and crew for helping keep everyone safe.

The Bergen County Sheriff’s Office did not immediately respond to NJ.com’s request for comment.

The incident highlights the quick response of the two off-duty Bergen County officers, who were traveling as ordinary passengers when the situation erupted thousands of feet above the ground.