Yep, I've had this before and simply call the police/paramedics (it could be a medical issue).

But, if you're on the ground in an unavoidable forced confrontation, I believe the appropriate first response would have been a point-blank blast to the face with a halon fire-extinguisher. We all know another useful item in near proximity to the front of the aircraft that will part the hair nicely if applied cleanly in a vertical motion and that should have been the next step.

When it comes to flat out assault on crewmembers on aircraft, as far as I'm concerned, the gloves come off.