Proud to Serve Proud to Serve Is a Semi-Regular Compilation of Heroic Stories About Letter Carriers in Their Communities

Proud to Serve Proud to Serve is a semi-regular compilation of heroic stories about letter carriers in their communities. If you know about a hero in your branch, contact us as soon as possible at 202-662-2851 or at [email protected]. We’ll follow up with you to obtain news clippings, photos or other information. Honoring heroic carriers eroism, like the mail, comes in many packages—think of police Hofficers or firefighters. But for some citizens in need of assistance, their heroes come in the form of con- cerned letter carriers. Letter carriers are members of nearly every community in this nation and know when something is wrong. Spotting fires and injuries, they often are the first to respond. The following stories document their heroism. For them, delivering for America is all in a day’s work. Marine carrier not Long Island City, NY Branch 357 member scared of a little blood Joseh Urbina was presented with a Postal Kinston, NC Branch 1044 member Hero Award on National Superhero Day Kenny Goss was delivering mail on in April. April 22 when he was approached by the customer went out on the porch his customer, Bobby Baker, who asked and saw Goss a few doors down. “One of my Marines was for help. “Hey mailman, do you have a Baker’s arm eventually grew tired, shot in Beirut. I knew bandage?” Goss said Baker asked him. so Goss helped him keep it elevated. what to do because I had Goss asked to see Baker’s arm and “It was bleeding really good,” Goss saw that it was bleeding profusely. said. “One of my Marines was shot in done it before.” “I told him to raise his arm up,” said Beirut. I knew what to do because I Goss, a retired Marine who served for —Kenny Goss of Kinston, NC Br. 1044 had done it before.” two decades. “And keep pressure on Responding police officers told Goss it.” to continue doing what he was doing The man quickly went back to his until EMS units arrived to take over. house, and the carrier headed to his Baker was taken to the hospital, where LLV to call 911. Baker reappeared with doctors mended his punctured artery. a T-shirt to wrap around his arm. The patron’s niece called Goss to tell Baker told the carrier that he had cut his arm when he had tried to open him that her uncle might have bled to a window to let out some smoke as death had he not been there to help. he was cooking. He also reached for Baker told the Free Press that he be- a storm window to open. “When I lieved Goss was sent by an angel and is opened the outside window, the inside a good Samaritan. “A good Samaritan window went down on my wrist,” is somebody who will help you out,” Baker told The Free Press. Baker said. “He doesn’t have to be a The old window was not only loose brother or sister, but will help you out in the track, but the bottom edge of the in a time of need.” wooden frame was jagged, and so it But Goss brushed off any major punctured Baker’s radial artery. Baker credit. “I’m not a hero,” the 13-year had tried to stop the blood from spew- postal veteran said. “I just stopped ing out of the artery, but it was still the bleeding until the ambulance got bleeding heavily. Not having a phone, there.”

30 The Postal Record June 2014 Life-and-death situation showed up to offer thanks. third floor of the four-story building, The carrier had seen a girl screaming told The New York Daily News. “If it all in a day’s work from an apartment window. He deter- wasn’t for him, me and my daughter, It was just another March day for mined that the blaze was on the fourth God forbid, I don’t know.” Long Island City, NY Branch 357 mem- floor, and so he helped the girl and her “You need more people like him in the ber Joseph Urbina. He went out on his family escape. He then banged on the world,” Daniela Valic, a longtime resi- route last March, delivered the mail and door of the other 24 apartments to warn dent of the building, told the newspaper. came back to his station. Oh, and he other residents to flee, then continued “These people know me; they are like rescued dozens of patrons from their on his route. my extended family,” Urbina, a 27-year burning building. He received a lot of praise from his postal veteran, told the Daily News. Urbina didn’t even mention the inci- customers. “If I had not been in that building at dent when he returned to his post of- “I was taking a nap with my daughter that precise moment, who knows what fice. Co-workers didn’t learn of Urbina’s and someone started banging on the could have happened? It really blew my heroic actions until grateful fire victims door,” Maria Gomes, who lives on the mind. It was almost an act of God.”

Neighborhood watch hile out on his regular child left noticed a man ing to the man to try to slow Wroute on Jan. 7, Akron, A sleeping hiding under him down and get a better OH Branch 148 member on a school a car who fit idea about what he was up Kevin Holland noticed some- bus was saved the subject’s to, when he saw a police thing suspicious. “I was just thanks to South description. car from a neighboring town walking on my route and Jersey Branch Martinez called saw someone walking into 908 member police, who ar- come down the street. He a vacant house,” he said. Joy Melita. The rested the man. flagged down the patrol car, The carrier noticed that the sleeping 5-year- “This type of and the police officers in the windows of the home were old boy was cooperation cer- car immediately recognized open, and that there were forgotten by the tainly makes our the man. They arrested the finger marks on them. “I got bus driver, who Kriatrina Martinez job easier and man after finding drugs and ‘Sherlock Holmes’ on it,” parked and left safer,” wrote other stolen items on him. he said. He checked with a the bus after delivering the police chief in a letter to neighbor to see if anyone other children to school. The her postmaster commending s a postal customer left has recently moved into boy woke up and left the Martinez. Aher car to put outgoing the house. They confirmed bus and approached Melita mail into a collection box that no one had, so Hol- hile training a new hire on her route and asked for last December, Raleigh, NC land asked them to call the help. Melita called police. Wand delivering mail on police. “Police were there be- In a thank-you note, the his route on Jan. 15, Provi- Branch 459 member Darryl fore I got back to my truck,” boy’s mother told Melita he dence, RI Branch 15 member Williams was emptying the Holland said. Responding knew he could trust a letter Robert Leigh noticed a young boxes, whom he noticed officers were able to arrest carrier. “That’s so good that man emerging from the the customer’s car rolling the trespasser inside the we have that reputation,” shrubbery beside a house on forward—she had forgot- home, and upon his arrest, it Melita said. The bus driver his route, carrying something ten to put the car in park. was discovered that he was faced disciplinary action. in his arms that appeared to Acting fast, Williams reached a suspect in another city for be a safe. Leigh asked the through the open window, a series of burglaries and for elivering the mail on a man where he was going, stealing a vehicle. Holland Dspring day, North Platte, and he began to tell a story grabbed the steering wheel laughed at the idea of being NE Branch 1258 carrier Kria- about coming from a friend’s and steered the car to a safe called a hero, though. “I was trina Martinez heard a police house where he had spent stop, avoiding passing traf- just doing my job,” the nine- broadcast about a criminal the night. Leigh was suspi- fic, parked vehicles and the year postal veteran said. suspect at large. She soon cious, so he continued talk- collection boxes.

June 2014 The Postal Record 31 Proud to Serve

Help on the way hile delivering the mail Branch 693 member Robert s Kinston, NC Branch 1044 this type of heart failure, and Won a Saturday afternoon Womacsko noticed that a Amember Joseph Huff was the Filson’s actions saved last May, St. Louis, MO Branch customer hadn’t picked up delivering his route one day Lascurain’s life. 343 member Darren Mack her older mail. He sensed earlier this year, he heard a heard a distant cry for help something was wrong, and customer call for his atten- edar Rapids, IA Branch over the hum of his vehicle. his instincts were right—after tion. The woman wanted the C373 member Debra Turning off the engine to hear he called police, the cus- carrier to help her special- Nunemaker noticed a few more clearly, Mack heard a tomer was found on her floor, needs son who had fallen things askew at a customer’s voice: “Help me, mailman!” incapacitated and in serious and was lodged partly under house as she delivered her He walked toward the voice, condition. She was taken to a a parked car. As they waited route on May 2, 2013. There which came from a wooded hospital and was expected to for help to arrive, Huff put his was mail building up, some ravine. About 15 feet below, recover. satchel under the son’s head blinds closed, and a couple he spotted an elderly woman as a pillow and laid his jacket of days’ newspapers. She ubbock, TX Branch 2589 who had apparently fallen into over him to shield him from was concerned, so she noti- the ravine. He called 911 and Lmember Wade Davis was the cold. on his route on Jan. 10 when fied a neighbor, who in turn told her help was on the way. called the police to ask for a As paramedics finally lifted he saw a police chase in pringfield, IL Branch 80 progress. “One officer was wellness check. They found her to safety on a gurney, the Smember David Dale was in pursuit of an officer on driving to his route on March the customer on the floor woman pointed to Mack and foot, and another was in after she had fallen two days said, “That’s my hero.” The 1, 2013, when he saw a car hit pursuit of another suspect in another vehicle. The striking earlier. She was dehydrated woman had fallen the evening a vehicle,” he said. He saw but otherwise in decent before while retrieving her car flipped over on its top. one officer get struck by a condition. The neighbor mail from nearby mailboxes. Dale saw that there were suspect in a car, leaving him called the post office to thank But Mack doesn’t think he people inside, so he made lying on the ground with a his way across two lanes of Nunemaker and inform her did anything special. “I’m no head wound. Meanwhile, the traffic to pull the occupants— co-workers of her actions. hero,” he said. “That’s just second suspect struck Davis’ a mother and her 5-year-old what we do.” LLV. Davis called 911 and ran hile delivering mail on toward the injured officer to daughter—to safety. Immedi- March 7, 2013, Seward, n his route last April, render first aid. He removed ately after pulling them out, W OWestchester Merged, NY his uniform shirt and used the car burst into flames. Dale NE Branch 1883 member Lisa it to stanch the waited with the mother and Scholz noticed blood on the bleeding from the daughter, who had minor sidewalk by the front door officer’s injury. The injuries, until the ambulance of a house on her route. The carrier assisted the arrived about 10 minutes later. front door was open, so she officer until EMS yelled inside to see if the units arrived. Wade n Jan. 17, 2012, Central resident was OK or needed was commended OOregon Branch 1937 assistance. The man respond- member heard a for his actions, but Steve Filson ed and asked Scholz to come fellow carrier call out for help brushed off any in to help him. He apparently major superlatives. because fellow branch mem- had been lying on the floor “I believe ‘hero’ ber Jim Lascurain was lying is a little far out on the ground in the garage, since the day before. The car- there,” the 25-year bleeding, unconscious and rier got him some Gatorade postal veteran not breathing. Filson imme- from his refrigerator. He said said. “I believe diately ran into the garage, he did not want an ambu- it’s something any assessed the situation, and lance, so Scholz contacted other carrier or began CPR, continuing until her local postmaster, who civilian would have emergency responders ar- called the police. They sent done. I was there rived on scene. The doctor at an ambulance, and Scholz at the wrong place the emergency room said that waited until help arrived be- Darren Mack at the right time.” only one in 20 people survive fore continuing on her route.

32 The Postal Record June 2014 When lifelong skills come in handy As Mobile, AL Branch 469 mem- return to his face. “All I could do is ber Bob Tolson delivered his route continue the chest compressions for on Feb. 19, he saw three people in a what seemed like a very long time,” front yard as he turned the corner of Tolson said. “When the paramedics a street. “One man was lying down, finally arrived, they took over and I another kneeling beside him cradling went back to my route.” his head and neck, and the first man’s Jefferson told Fox News that he had wife almost in hysterics,” he told his had a heart attack, and doctors told branch. So, he got out of his vehicle him only 1 percent of people survive and approached the trio. what he went though. He also said that “I first noticed that the man lying he was unconscious for four days and down was not breathing and his face that he thanks Tolson for saving his was purple,” he said. “One of the two life. asked if I knew CPR, and I said yes. On his route, Tolson was reunited However, this skill, although prac- with Jefferson after he was released ticed, had not been used by me in a from the hospital. “It was pretty life-or death-situation.” emotional for both of us,” Tolson said. So the carrier went to work. Though Jefferson has only partial heart “I knew I had to stop and do some- function now, “he seems to be doing thing,” Tolson told the local Fox TV fine.” news affiliate. People in the community are calling The carrier placed the man, Alfred Tolson a hero, but he disagrees with Mobile, AL Branch 469 member Bob Tol- Jefferson, on his back, cleared his that appellation. son helped save a customer’s life using airway, tilted his head and began us- “I don’t feel like I did anything CPR skills. He was recently interviewed ing hands-only CPR. Jefferson would special. I just saw somebody in need by local news media. occasionally take a deep breath, but and helped them out,” he said. “I en- his breathing was very irregular and courage everyone to take a CPR class. one’s life. I was just someone with a he had no discernable pulse. His eyes Remember that a little knowledge can little knowledge in the right place at were fixed, and normal color did not make a profound difference in some- the right time.” Fire and rescue arolyn Hall was delivering her n Aug. 12, 2013, Donald Anderson Sharon Fire Chief Terence Whalen Croute on Jan. 27 when she noticed Owas delivering his route when he wrote to the post office to commend a brush fire burning out of control noticed smoke pouring from the back the carrier, saying that damage to the up ahead. The Asheville, NC Branch of a house. The New Castle, PA Branch home was minimized by Anderson’s 248 member saw that it had spread 22 member dialed 911 and proceeded actions. to cover about a half-acre and was to bang on the front door of the home spreading in the direction of a housing to notify the residents to evacuate. arbourville, KY Branch 2856 mem- development. She called 911 and then Anderson then ran to the back of Bber Jason Grubb was working his started honking her horn to try to alert the house, where he found a garden route on Jan. 8, 2013, when he came whoever was in the closest house. Hall hose. He turned on the water supply across a tuck fire. This was no ordinary couldn’t get anyone’s attention, so and sprayed water on the flames until fire—it was a bucket truck belonging to she went to the door and eventually the fire department arrived. Once fire- a tree-trimming company—and worse, two teenagers answered. The carrier fighters took over and he saw that the a man was trapped inside the bucket. convinced them to come outside until situation was in good hands, Ander- Grubb quickly called 911 to inform the the fire department got there. son continued on his delivery route. local fire department.

June 2014 The Postal Record 33 Proud to Serve The newspaper article about Marty Schulz

Eye on the elderly adison, WI Branch 507 there,” Fontanez said. He to get inside. They found Mmember Marty Schulz handed Purcell a phone, and Michi lying on the kitchen knew something was wrong she called her son. Fontanez floor and in need of medical on May 14, 2013, when he then helped carry Purcell into attention after being there 12 hadn’t seen his 91-year-old the house and waited with hours. “He had really scraped customer, J. Bernard Lee, in a her until the son arrived to himself up,” Cairo said. After few days. This was unusual, get her medical attention. The a brief hospital stay, Michi because the carrier normally carrier later found out that the was released. Cairo doesn’t saw the man drive to and woman returned home from consider himself a hero. “I’m from a lunch date every day the hospital soon after and just glad everything worked at exactly the same time. “I was doing just fine. Fontanez out the way they did,” the 30- noticed that the gentleman’s doesn’t consider himself a year postal veteran said. mail was building up,” Schulz hero, though. “I don’t think try- told The Monroe Times. So, he it’s that big of a deal,” he said. orthern Virginia Branch ing to get some- knocked on the door, but he “I don’t see how anyone could N3520 member Isagani one’s attention for help. The didn’t get a response. The 20- have just passed by.” Ravelo was delivering the mail man was exhausted from year postal veteran then called last December when he came trying to get up on his own, so the local postmaster, who an to the home of an elderly the carrier wrapped her arms called police for an ambu- SFrancis- woman who often greets him around him and got him to his lance and a welfare check for co, CA at the door. Instead, he found house. Lee. The call ended up saving Branch 214 her door open and heard Lee’s life, at least for one more member her crying for help inside. He onnecticut Merged Branch day. Lee’s son, Jim, was able Richard entered the home and found C20 member James Erodici to drive up from Chicago to be Cairo was the woman on the floor with was delivering mail on Nov. with his father before he died deliver- severe head injuries, the 15, 2012, when he noticed the next day. “We appreciated ing mail apparent result of a fall. After that a customer on his route it,” Jim Lee told the Times. one day in performing first aid to stop the still had two newspapers on “We appreciate having eyes December when he noticed woman from bleeding, Ravelo her porch and had not picked and ears out there.” several irregularities in the called an acquaintance of the up her other mail. He called normal schedule of his accident victim for help as a clerk at his post office, be- outhern Illinois Merged 92-year-old customer, Mr. she requested. Ravelo also cause he knew the customer SBranch 1197 member Michi. Cairo noticed older mail called the postmaster, who always put in a vacation hold Israel Fontanez was carefully had not been collected and asked him to remain with the card when she goes out of delivering his route on Jan. 8 the customer’s garbage cans woman until the acquaintance town. The clerk said there after a snowstorm, when he were still in front of his house. arrived to assist. wasn’t an active hold for noticed that a car was parked “He had a routine,” Cairo said. her. Erodici became more con- with its hazard lights on. “He didn’t do that this time.” arrier Samantha Collinson cerned when he noticed the Looking closer, Fontanez saw Michi didn’t have family, so Cwas on her route on Jan. customer’s car in the drive- that his 80-year-old customer, Cairo checked in with the 30 when she heard what she way, but she didn’t answer Betty Purcell, had fallen on the man’s friend, Joe, to see if the thought was a cat meowing or the door. So, Erodici did his ground and a man was trying man had shown up to their child playing at a house. The best to look into her home to help her. “She had been regular bocce game. Michi Central Iowa Merged Branch and noticed that the patron trying to clean off her car,” hadn’t. Cairo knew Michi kept 352 member then heard the was sitting in her chair but Fontanez said. The carrier the house locked up and it sound again, so she peeked was not responsive. As luck rushed over and discovered would be nearly impossible to around the corner of the would have it, police were on that Purcell seemed to have check on him, so he decided house and saw a man’s arm the scene down the street, so broken her hip. “She was in to call police. “I went back to move and heard him yelling Erodici requested that they a lot of pain,” he said. The the station, clocked out, and for help. The elderly man had come to assist at the custom- other man who was helping went right back to the house,” fallen on the ice and snow er’s home. Officers broke the had missed a turn due to Cairo said. After a brief investi- and was unable to get up. door down and went inside low visibility from the bad gation, a police officer heard a Collinson went over to help to help the unconscious weather and had happened faint cry for help coming from him and noticed that he was woman. They discovered that to go down this street. “It inside the house. The officers soaked from lying on the the customer had suffered an was luck that we were both had to break down two doors ground for 20 to 30 minutes apparent stroke.

34 The Postal Record June 2014 Carrier keeps watchful eye on community Fort Lauderdale, FL Branch 2550 The woman was conscious, so to know what had happened before member Mark Gereffi was delivering Gereffi put the operator on speak- he left the scene, so he contacted a his mail on his route one day on April erphone and let the woman speak. neighbor, Patty, who called Barry when he found one of his patrons ly- “She explained how she felt and and reached him. ing on her back in front of her house, her symptoms,” he said. When she Gereffi was there as the customer moaning. She was dressed to go couldn’t speak anymore, Gereffi got was taken to the hospital, and he somewhere, and she had her purse back on the line. acted like a middleman, telling Patty under her head like a pillow. “I could hear the sirens, so I knew what was going on so she could tell “I asked if she was OK,” Gereffi they were relatively close,” he said. Barry. said. “She thought she was having a He waited there until help arrived, The woman received treatment in heart attack.” and it was determined the patron the hospital for a few days and was Gereffi asked the woman if her had suffered another stroke. When subsequently released. husband Barry was around, but he Gereffi asked an EMT about her con- Gereffi doesn’t consider himself wasn’t. Gereffi then called 911 and dition, the man expressed doubt and a hero, though. “This is something was able to answer questions from suggested prayer. obviously anyone would do,” the 30- the operator about her condition. The carrier tried to call the year postal veteran said. “[As a letter “I knew she had a history of health woman’s husband, Barry, but he carrier], you never know what you’re problems,” the carrier said, which didn’t answer, so he left a voicemail going to come across. Thank God included a stroke and a heart attack. message. Gereffi wanted someone things worked out as they did.” Neighborhood watch pproaching the porch appeared to be an assault rifle. carrier turned around to come The children’s parent called Aof a customer to deliver The carrier contacted his su- back up the street, he saw Fulmore to thank him. the mail on April 24, 2013, pervisor, who then contacted the children in the middle Charleston, SC Branch 3902 the local police. Henderson of the road and asked the n his route on a chilly Mon- David Dicker looked up to see then made sure no one else kids where the dad was and Oday last January, Louisville, a 9-foot-long alligator on the could handle the weapon until why he left them. Instead KY, Branch 14 member John front walkway, blocking the the police arrived. The police of answering, the older of McMackin noticed a 5-year-old step. He originally thought it department later disclosed the two children asked the girl standing alone and crying. was a lawn sculpture--but then that the rifle was real, and was carrier to take them to their She approached him and told he saw it move. Just then, the loaded. Henderson was com- dad at a store. Fulmore said him she was alone and scared. customer walked out her door mended for averting a poten- he couldn’t put them in the The girl’s school had sent her to get the mail, and Dicker tially dangerous situation. postal vehicle, but told the home on a bus though she warned her to look out. She youngsters to come with him was supposed to be picked s Durham, NC Branch 382 went back in the house, dialed to a business that was on the up at school. The child gave member Godfrey Fulmore corner of the street. He asked 911, and the Department of A McMackin her mother’s phone was delivering on his route the business if the children Natural Resources came soon number and he called the on a rainy June 12, 2013, he could stay there and if some- after to remove the critter. The mother, who was at work. She carrier was commended for had turned on to a street and one would call the police. arranged for a neighbor to pick preventing potential serious saw a black car speed pass Fulmore left to finish his route up the child, and McMackin injury to his customer and oth- him. He noticed the driver after assuring the children ers in the neighborhood. stop in the middle of the that they would be OK there. waited with the girl until the road, get out of the car and The carrier checked in later, neighbor came. McMackin’s n Jan. 24, 2013, Crystal waved the carrier by. Fulmore and found the police were station manager noted that the OCity, MO Branch 4050 proceeded to deliver his mail there. Fulmore gave officers a child’s trust of a uniformed, member Patrick Henderson but noticed the driver had let statement, and they informed familiar letter carrier made her was delivering mail on his out two small children before him that the children had confident enough to approach route when he discovered what taking off again. When the been victims of a carjacking. him for help.

June 2014 The Postal Record 35 Proud to Serve

Carrier helps customer “I was delivering mail here and I saw an elderly man out of the corner of my after icy injury eye walking, and then I heard him fall,” While delivering mail on Feb. 4, Cran- Bruser told local news media outlets. ford, NJ Branch 754 member Melissa The customer, 78-year-old Thurman Hardin went to deliver a parcel at a Blades, had been walking to the condo home when she saw the elderly custom- clubhouse to drop off his dues when he er there slip and fall as he was trying to found himself on the pavement, unable chop ice away from his property. “It was to move. The clubhouse was closed really, really icy out,” Hardin said. because of the low temperature, and The man fell so hard that the carrier since it was mid-day, not many people heard the man’s head hit the ground, were around. so she quickly called 911 and comforted “I hit a patch of ice and I went down. him. “I told him that everything would I went down right on my knee,” Blades be all right,” the carrier said. told the local news media. Hardin then banged on the front door Bruser jumped into action, ran to to alert the man’s family. His daughter Blades’ side and tried to help him back came to the door and seemed very dis- to his feet. But the carrier realized he traught about the situation. “I calmed was not strong enough to help the large Cranford, NJ Branch 754 member Melissa her down and told her he would be man by himself. Hardin recently was (below) interviewed OK,” she said. “He couldn’t get up and I couldn’t by local news media and (bottom) Hardin stayed at the scene to render pick him up. I tried,” Bruser said. “I presented with a Postal Hero Award on aid to the man, who had a bad cut on called 911. I ran to my truck and got National Superhero Day in April. his head and was bleeding. all the cold weather gear I had and “Her quick thinking and response wrapped him up the best I could. It was was amazing!” the customer’s daughter already minus-3 that day.” wrote to the local postmaster. “I am so As they waited 20 minutes for thankful she was there as I had no idea paramedics to arrive, Bruser pulled he was even outside. Melissa is a won- Blades to the side of the clubhouse and derful person and she not only helped propped him up against the wall. my dad, but she reassured me that all “I kept his hands in mine,” Bruser would be well. She truly went above said. “One was numb, so I was making and beyond her responsibilities.” sure he still had the feeling left in his Hardin was presented with a Postal fingers and toes.” Hero Award on National Superhero Day Blades’ wife said that with the club- in April. But the 15-year postal veteran house closed and few people braving doesn’t think she’s a hero. “I just felt the cold temperatures, her husband like it was the right thing to do,” she could have frozen to death waiting for said. “I was at the right place at the help. The man said, “I mean, I really right time.” appreciate [Bruser]. He came to my aid right away. He didn’t even hesitate.” ‘We wouldn’t turn our Blades sustained minor injuries from the fall, but he suffered no frostbite or back on anybody’ other ailments from the cold. Cincinnati, OH Branch 43 member But Bruser doesn’t think he’s a hero. Mike Bruser was delivering mail on “Anyone of us would have helped him. Jan. 6, one of the coldest days on record It wouldn’t have mattered if it was me or for the city, on another carrier’s route. somebody else here. We wouldn’t turn As he was placing the mail in each of our back on anybody,” he said. “Just the mailboxes at a condominium com- happened to be here at the right time, I plex, Bruser heard a loud noise. guess.”

36 The Postal Record June 2014 Help on the way hile out delivering mail to drive. She agreed to give it and he has always shown us was going about his route Win his postal vehicle in to him, but couldn’t seem to respect and kindness. We are one day, he noticed his April of 2013, South Subur- remember it and was apolo- a community of 401 homes customer, Michael Moon, ban Merged, IL, Branch 4016 getic about not being able and we wish to have Al as our in distress. Moon had been carrier Mitchell Love heard to communicate well. Pytell mailman for as long as we pushing his car and had a faint voice over the sound was concerned and called can. We feel a sense of safety injured himself and fallen of his vehicle’s engine. He 911. It was hot out, so Pytell that someone cares for us, in the street in front of his turned off the engine and lis- helped her toward the house. and that we are not forgotten house. Lopez rushed over tened again, and heard calls As she walked with him, she because we live alone.” to the man and called 911. for help from the garage of a started to collapse. The car- He made sure that the car patron’s home. Investigating, rier helped ease her to a lying incinnati, OH Branch 43 was pushed to the curb and Love saw Noreen Spero lying position on the porch and Cmember Edwin Smith secured before Moon was on the floor of the garage. saw that she was starting to grew concerned on July 24, taken away in an ambu- She had fallen hours earlier have convulsions. The carrier 2013, when he had not seen lance. Lopez stopped by the and apparently broke both waited with the woman until customer Virginia Kramer in house after work to make shoulders and could not get medical assistance arrived a couple of days. It was un- sure Moon was doing all up. Spero told Love the code and she was taken to the usual because Kramer usually right. “It is quite impressive to open the garage door and hospital. Pytell later heard came out to greet Smith when in these impersonal times he waited by her side after that the woman was doing he delivered her mail. So, the that we have a postman summoning authorities and OK, having suffered a heart carrier went to the renter’s who knows us by name and Spero’s daughter and sister. problem. office to share his concerns actually looks out for us, not Spero told Love she knew he and asked to have someone ne day last spring, just as names on his postal would come and had waited check on her. Kramer was route, but as people he cares Central Florida Branch discovered to be ill, and her for the sound of his truck to O about,” Moon and his wife, call out for help. Spero was 1091 member Alfonso Fata daughter, Ruth, was noti- Kathleen, wrote to the local back home after two months was delivering mail to his fied. Kramer was taken to the postmaster. “We are pleased of recovery in a rehabilitation customer, Howard Miller. He hospital and was later sent that Robert Lopez is getting center. “We’re not heroes,” always placed Miller’s mail to rehab. Ruth Kramer called Love said of letter carriers bundled in a rubber band the post office to commend the special recognition her who perform selfless acts like to allow the man to retrieve Smith for looking out for her deserves. He is a credit to his. “It’s just part of our job.” his mail without difficulty. mother. his job as a United States The next day, Fata noticed postal worker, but more lbany, NY Branch 29 that Miller had not picked n March 12, 2013, importantly as a good citizen Amember Robert Pytell up the previous day’s mail. OJamaica, NY Branch 562 and friend.” was delivering his route on He went to a neighbor to member Henry Zapata was July 11, 2013, and when he ask about Miller, and the delivering mail when he klahoma City, OK Branch arrived at one home, he saw neighbor proceeded to call noticed that his customer, O458 member Dennis Wil- his customer Geoff Willick’s Miller’s cell phone. There was Mr. Bauer, had not picked liams was on his way to work mother in the driveway by no answer, so they called up his mail from the previ- on March 15, 2013, when he her car. She said hello and 911. Officers responded, and ous day. Zapata notified a saw a car run off the road into asked if Pytell would help Miller was found on the floor. neighbor, who called Bauer an embankment and then her. She was apparently Residents of the community but received no answer. roll over. Williams, along with having trouble opening the were grateful to Fata for his Since she had a spare key, two other passers-by in cars, trunk and she removed her actions. “He is in fact a hero, the neighbor went in the stopped to help. Williams bag from trunk once the car- someone that saved a man’s house, where Bauer was helped to pull the victim from rier opened it for her. Pytell life, just because he cares found on the floor after hav- the car and get the woman noticed that her speech was for our community,” a group ing had an apparent stroke to safety before the vehicle faltering when she asked for of residents wrote to the post- and subsequent broken hip exploded. The carrier stayed help, and as he assisted her, master general. “Al, as we all from a fall. Bauer was taken with the woman until an he felt something was wrong. here in the community call to the hospital. ambulance arrived. He later He decided to ask for her him, is not just the mailman found out that the woman son’s phone number since he but a friend. Most of us have s Rialto, CA Branch 3982 he helped save was also a was concerned she might try known Al for a long time, Amember Robert Lopez postal employee. June 2014 The Postal Record 37 Eye on the elderly n March 13, Centennial was really cold and icy,” the woman told Downey that OColorado Branch 5996 carrier said. Labrecque rushed he had saved her life. member Danny Chavis became over to the woman and helped Downey doesn’t claim any concerned about one of his her stand up. The carrier then heroics. “The hero is Mrs. customers because the man noticed that the patron was not Grebenc. The strength of had not checked his mail wearing appropriate shoes or this woman just amazes for several days, which was clothing for the cold weather. me,” the eight-year unusual. “There could be 30 “No gloves, no hat, noth- postal veteran said. “I just feet of snow on the ground, ing,” Labrecque said, so she helped her out.” and he’d always pick his mail brought her to her LLV as she up,” Chavis said. But, he called emergency personnel. acomb, IL Branch thought maybe the man had “I put her in the heat and gave M658 member Rob just gone on vacation without her my hand warmers,” she Gronewold knew that telling him. So, he just asked said. The carrier had been in something was amiss his floater to let him know if health care for years and knew when he went to deliver he saw the mail there the next how to keep the woman calm his route to his 82-year- day. He said he did, so when until medical attention arrived. old customer’s home on Chavis was back on his route, “She’s so sweet,” Labrecque Saturday, June 8, 2013. he brought the man’s mail up said of her customer. “Anyone He entered the home and to the door and knocked. No who was there would have found her on the floor. Danny Chavis answer. “I checked with four or helped her.” The woman told him that five neighbors, and they said she had fallen and broken they hadn’t seen him,” the car- odney Downey was deliver- her hip and that no one my mother’s advanced age, it rier said. One of the patron’s Ring his route one day in had planned to return to the may have been much worse neighbors had contact infor- January and went up onto the home until much later in the if not for his intrepidness and mation for the man’s daughter, enclosed porch of a house. “I day. Her telephone was out of dogged determination. Please so they called her. She found could hear somebody crying for service, and her medical alert pass our entire family’s endur- her father inside the house. help,” the Pueblo, CO Branch device failed to operate. Fight- ing gratitude; we will remain in He had suffered a stroke and 229 member said. He noticed ing pain, she dragged herself his debt.” was incapacitated, and he that the 81-year-old customer, to her front door in the hopes was taken to the hospital for Louise Grebenc, was lying just of drawing attention. Grone- hen Central Florida Branch treatment. Chavis, a 16-year inside the storm door. She told wold called for help, then W1091 member Greg Davis postal veteran, was awarded him that she had been on the aided the woman and made noticed on Jan. 7 that a 75-year- a certificate at a ceremony on ground for 20 hours in what her comfortable as they waited old customer who lived alone National Superhero Day, a day Downey described as “bone- for medical personnel. “Please with her dog was not picking created by a group of employ- chilling” weather. The door was accept my most sincere thanks up her mail, he attempted ees at Marvel Comics. “A hero? locked, so Downey called 911 and appreciation regarding the to call the customer, without I wouldn’t really say that,” and went around to the back recent gallant actions of one success. That same day, the Chavis said. “I was just doing of the house to get inside. “I of your postal carriers,” the carrier received a call from a my job as a letter carrier.” kneeled down on the floor next woman’s son, Thomas Canavit, deputy sheriff asking for his to her and checked her out to wrote to the local post office. assistance, since they were un- estern Massachusetts make sure there was nothing “In my mother’s neighbor- familiar with the customer and WBranch 46 member obviously wrong with her,” the hood, the postal carrier is not her dog. When the dog was Heather Labrecque was going carrier said. As it turns out, she only a friendly face, but also a under control and secured, about her route on Jan. 7 at had cut the back of her head in mainstay of their community. an ambulance was called and dusk and saw her 92-year-old the fall, and the injury required Routinely, the postal carrier is the customer was taken to the customer. “She was coming staples. Downey waited with one of the few people they see hospital. The customer passed down the street without a Grebenc until the emergency at their homes daily (Monday away a few days later, but due sidewalk,” she said. “I was responders arrived. The carrier though Saturday). His actions to the care and concern shown standing behind my truck went by the emergency room on Saturday were not only by Davis, the customer was when I heard a noise.” The later that evening to check on commendable and undoubt- able to spend her final days woman had slipped and fallen Grebenc, and she soon recov- edly helped prevent further with her family with dignity and and wasn’t able to get up. “It ered and went back home. The pain and suffering, but given in comfort.

38 The Postal Record June 2014 Fire and rescue ebecca Marcano noticed a strong of one of the units. Williams called 911 extinguish the fire before it spread from Rsmoke smell on Saturday, Feb. 23, and then proceeded to go to each unit its source, an unattended pot on the 2013, as she went about her route. As she to alert the tenants of the fire. While stove,” Venice Fire Chief James Warman approached a home to deliver the mail, waiting outside with the residents, wrote to the local postmaster. “It should she saw smoke billowing from the roof. Williams noticed that one of the victims be noted that this incident could easily The Fort Wayne, IN Branch 116 member was shaking, so he gave his coat to her, have become a major incident, as the knocked loudly on the door and a pre- as he thought she might be about to go residence was a mobile home. The City teen girl answered the door. Marcano told into shock. He stayed with her until the of Venice Fire Department would like to her to tell her parents that their home was rescue squad arrived. When fire fighters thank Mr. Al Georgio for going above and on fire and to get out. The letter carrier made it to the scene, the carrier advised beyond the call of duty in providing as- also called 911 and gave emergency per- them that he hadn’t gotten an answer sistance that dramatically improved this sonnel the location of the fire. Marcano from one of the tenants who might still emergency situation.” was told to make sure the family got out possibly be inside. He also told them immediately, and to stay on the phone. that one of the tenants still had cats n January 2013, Worcester, MA Branch She remained at the home to ensure that inside her apartment. He then left to I12 member Lewis Green was deliver- the family of four and all pets had safely continue carrying his route. ing mail to a home on his route when evacuated and that the firefighters were he heard the family’s dogs barking on site to tackle the blaze before she n Feb. 21, 2013, Venice, FL Branch inside the house. He knew something returned to her route. The family would O5480 member Alfred Georgio Jr. was wrong. As he looked inside through have had no early warning the home was was on his route delivering mail when the windows, he noticed the house was on fire, since it had started in the attic. he heard a smoke alarm going off and filling with smoke. Green called 911, but saw smoke coming from a nearby mobile received a busy signal. He tried again— n Dec. 11, 2012, Bluefield, WV home. As Georgio banged on the door, but the line was still busy. He called his OBranch 880 member Robert Wil- he noticed that the customer’s car was immediate supervisor to notify 911 of liams was on a park-and-loop when he not in the driveway, so he knew she a house fire and to inform them of two noticed smoke and flames coming from probably wasn’t there. The carrier called dogs trapped inside. Firefighters soon an apartment building on the street 911, and firefighters were dispatched. arrived to put out the fire, which was where he was delivering mail. About “Fortunately, Mr. Georgio’s prompt saved from severe damage. They also that time, a woman came running out actions enabled fire crews to quickly saved the lives of the dogs.

Going the extra mile for his ‘second family’ On Jan. 2, Santa Clara, CA Branch As he walked closer to the house, he So, he convinced her to let him call 1427 member Raphael Leon was going could hear Myrick faintly call for help 911, and he made her comfortable with about his daily rounds on the route he’s through the garage door. Leon called a pillow and blanket until an EMS unit had for all 29 years that he has been a back to the patron and let her know he arrived to treat what turned out to be letter carrier when “I imagined hearing was there. “She said, ‘Please help me,’ a broken hip. The carrier met up with something,” he said. But there was am- ” Leon said. paramedics outside to explain what bient noise on the street--dogs barking The woman told him that she had happened and made sure Myrick was in and so on--so he continued on his way. fallen in a room adjacent to the garage good hands before leaving the scene. But when he circled back to the and couldn’t get up. Leon asked how he Leon knew Myrick’s daughter lived same house a little while later when could get to her since she was inside, just a few blocks away, so he stopped it was quieter to deliver a package, and the woman gave him the code for there to inform her of the situation “I stopped and really listened,” he the garage door. before continuing his workday. said. “It sounded like a lady crying for Once inside, Myrick told Leon she But the carrier doesn’t want attention help.” He looked around and didn’t see had been there for at least three hours. for his actions. “To me, the satisfaction anyone, but using his knowledge of the She also said she had pain in her hip was seeing her smile when I walked route, he remembered that the home and asked the carrier to pick her up. in,” Leon said. “I would do this for any was occupied by his elderly customer, Leon told her they needed to wait to see of my customers. They’re my second Lorraine Myrick. what was wrong first. family.”

June 2014 The Postal Record 39 Fire and rescue hile delivering mail on his route for them to alert her to the situation. ting outside on the porch, and Leonard Won Jan. 4, 2013, Milwaukee, WI After rescuing the children, McManna asked if she had noticed the smoke. Branch 2 member Ben McCanna no- went on to complete his route. The woman, who was mentally chal- ticed a house on fire. As he got closer, lenged, said, “Oh yes, I did start to cook he saw that there were children inside olumbia, MO Branch 763 member breakfast.” She went inside with Leon- who were apparently home alone. He CAnn Leonard was delivering her ard, who turned off the kitchen stove— led them out of the burning house to route one day when she noticed the the source of the smoke. The carrier safety. Once all the children were safely smell of smoke coming from a house was commended for likely preventing a outside, he called the children’s mother nearby. The woman living there was sit- larger fire and potential tragedy.

Neighborhood watch looked around old Robert Mclntyre. The rested the man, an alleged and spotted man had come home to find bank robber. a young boy two intruders in his house. inside a car hit- He was holding them off s Flushing, NY Branch ting a window, with a pool cue after they A294 member Evan Arnow trying to get demanded his wallet and was heading home from his attention. car keys. McQueen stopped work on July 23, 2013, he The carrier to offer assistance and the noticed two young men act- rushed over to two men fled. He helped ing suspiciously. He thought the car which the victim into his house, that one was attempting to was parked in a where Mclntyre called 911. steal a bike, while the other family’s drive- Mclntyre’s wife wrote to the was acting as a lookout. Arnow let the boys know he way. He found local postmaster to ask that Clearwater, FL Branch 2008 member Thornell had seen them, and they ran that the vehicle McQueen receive recognition Strawn was honored by local police for help- away, abandoning the bike. ing to catch a burglary suspect. was unlocked, for his help. although the hile delivering mail to a he chief of the Clearwater, ichael Koenig was child was home one day, Colum- FL, police force honored delivering mail on the W T unable to get out. Once M bia, MO Branch 763 member Clearwater Branch 2008 morning of Nov. 17, 2012, the door was open, Prieto Larry Warren smelled what member Thornell Strawn for checked the boy and found when he began to hear could only be natural gas. helping nab a burglar. On him to be OK besides sweat- loud sirens and saw racing Warren was not able to deter- his route in February, Strawn ing profusely in the heat. police cars rushing through mine if anyone was home, so called 911 when he noticed The youngster’s parents the neighborhood. As the the carrier reported the leak a suspicious man walking were working on their home Pittsburgh Branch 84 mem- to a gas company employee, between houses and then indoors and were unaware ber continued to deliver who alerted the customer. entering a back window of of the situation. They his route, he heard a voice An inspection revealed the one. Strawn stayed on the thanked Prieto for his watch- from a man suspiciously customer’s furnace was line and relayed what he ful eye. crouched down in the bush- clogged and was also emit- saw until police arrived and es. Believing he may have ting dangerously high levels arrested the suspect. lorence, SC Branch 1416 been related to the police of carbon monoxide. The Fmember James McQueen activity, Koenig called 911. gas company employee said s El Paso, TX Branch 505 observed a crime in progress Upon arrival of the police, Warren’s actions saved the Amember Louis Prieto on Nov. 23, 2012, as two the carrier directed them to customer’s life as well as the was delivering his route men in hooded sweatshirts where the man was hiding. lives of her five grandchil- one day in July 2013, he were having a confrontation After a brief police chase, dren, who were with her in heard some banging. Prieto with an elderly man, 85-year the police successfully ar- the home.

40 The Postal Record June 2014 Delivering help at a dire time ‘Carriers are just always there’ On May 15, 2013, Memphis, TN Branch 27 After knocking on his member Michael Taylor was making a deliv- customer’s front door ery to the house of Mary Fitzgerald, an elderly on Feb. 24 to make a customer. Fitzgerald has a medical exemption package delivery, St. that allows her to have a mailbox at the door, Paul, MN Branch 28 as opposed to the rest of Taylor’s route, which member Jeff Hinch- cliffe thought he could is mounted. heard a faint call for On this particular morning, Taylor went to help coming from the door to leave a package, and when he did, inside the garage. he heard a faint noise. “But [I] wasn’t sure who Hinchcliffe walked it was, or where it was coming from,” he said. over to the garage door “It was a continuous moaning that faded in and called out for the and out. I put my ear to the window and real- customer, Richard Faulkner. The garage door was ized that someone was crying out, ‘Call 911!’ ” cracked a small amount, and the carrier could Taylor got his cell phone and called 911. He hear a weak yet pleading response came from the then checked the door, and found it unlocked, other side of the door. so went in. “It was hard because I had no idea what was “I could hear the cry coming from farther going on inside,” Hinchcliffe told the St. Paul in the house,” he said. “I followed the noise Pioneer Press. to the back of the house, where I found Mrs. The carrier asked the man if he was OK and if Fitzgerald lying face down on the bathroom anyone else was home. Faulkner replied, “No, no one else is home, and I can’t move.” floor.” Hinchcliffe attempted to lift the garage door but She was bruised and seemed dehydrated, it was locked, so he told the patron, “I am going to and she told Taylor that she had been there get my phone; I’ll be right back.” since about 7:30 p.m. the previous day. She He ran to his car and grabbed his cell phone had been recovering from a recent shoul- and called 911. He ran back to the garage and der surgery and was home alone. When she talked to the man, reassuring him that police slipped and fell in the bathroom, she wasn’t were on the way. Faulkner told the carrier that he able to turn or get herself up and injured her- thought he had been there for an hour and a half self further. Emergency crews arrived soon to to two hours. take Fitzgerald to the hospital. Responding officers kicked in the back breeze- The customer’s family was grateful to Taylor. way door to get into the garage to get to the man. “Today my mother, Mary Fitzgerald, was saved Faulkner had apparently fallen down the steps by your postman,” Fitzgerald’s daughter, Mary from his house to the garage, and it looked as if he Wilkins, wrote to the local postmaster. “I don’t had hit his head on the garage floor. know how much longer God will allow us to “There was a big pool of blood, and he wasn’t moving,” the carrier told the Pioneer Press. “He have her in our lives, but I know if it had not was conscious but really wasn’t moving much.” been for your postman, we may not have had Hinchcliffe doesn’t think he’s a hero; he said her past today … Please give him the biggest that carriers are just always there. “There are so hug for me.” many carriers out there every day that help some- But Taylor was just glad he was able to be one or saved someone, just by doing our jobs,” the there for his patron. “It was by the grace and 20-year postal veteran told his branch. “We know mercy of God that allowed me to be attentive our customers, and we know when things just and alert when I made this delivery to pay don’t seem right, and with so much bad publicity attention to the cry for help,” Taylor said. “I lately, it’s nice to see the good we do.” hope and pray that Mrs. Fitzgerald continues The carrier found out soon after that Faulkner to recover.” is doing well and recuperating at home.

June 2014 The Postal Record 41 Watching out for the customers Each mail delivery day, Syracuse, wife was, and he seemed unsure and NY Branch 134 member John Cloonan suggested that she was in the bath- would greet an elderly couple in their room. The carrier thought to himself, 90s, the Blisses, at their home. “They “Something doesn’t feel right,” and leave the door open, and I go in and so he decided to call 911 and request hand them their mail,” he said. an ambulance crew to check on his On April 16, the carrier saw that Mr. customers. Bliss seemed off. “He seemed very inco- Cloonan also went next door to see if herent—he’s usually very chipper,” the the neighbor had a contact number for carrier said. Cloonan also noticed that the couple’s son. Their son arrived at Mrs. Bliss was not in the living room the same time as the emergency medi- with her husband as she usually was. cal team. John Cloonan He asked Mr. Bliss how he felt, and Upon arrival of the ambulance, he responded that he “felt lousy,” so Cloonan was approached by the Blisses’ Mr. and Mrs. Bliss have since recovered Cloonan told him he could call 911 if he son, thanking him for the attention he from their ailments. felt worse. The man responded that he paid his parents. Not only was Mr. Bliss “It was a happy ending,” Cloonan, a had been thinking about doing that. ill, but Mrs. Bliss had fallen while in 16-year postal veteran said. “I try to take Cloonan asked Bliss where his the shower and was not able to get up. care of my customers as best I can.” Eye on the elderly obile, AL from the hospital when she on ground. The customer was she says yes,” she said. So, MBranch could walk again. conscious and asked Katzen- West-Dent called an ambu- 469 member berger to help her get up. The lance and waited with Kiley for Jeffrey Dun- n Jan. 14, South Boston, carrier knew that a nearby emergency crews to arrive. It bar had just OVA Branch 3170 member neighbor was a paramedic and turned out Kiley had broken delivered mail David Katzenberger was on his his wife was an anesthetist, so her leg. “I spoke with her to 85-year-old usual route when he noticed he ran to get help. daughter a few days later and customer something in his customer’s she was resting and recovering Betty Che- backyard that did not took ak Brook, IL Branch 825 well,” West-Dent said. noweth one day last February familiar. The back yard of this Omember Deborah West- and started to walk toward home is not visible from the Dent was going about her route ux-Mont, PA Branch 920 his next delivery. He then saw street, but Katzenberger could one day in July 2013 when Bmember Christian Bruzz- that the woman was lying on see into it when he walked to she approached the house ese was delivering mail one the ground by her mailbox and the side of house to the mail- of her elderly customer, Josie day last fall when he noticed came running back. Che- box. He first thought the shape Kiley. “I was putting mail into his 85-year-old customer, noweth had reached to get her was a roll of carpet in the yard her mailbox and I heard a real Gertrude Keener, lying on her mail without stepping into the but decided to check closer to soft voice saying ‘Help me! back on the side of her house street, fell, and wound up lying be sure. When he got closer, I’ve fallen!’ ” the carrier told behind a car. Her eyes were in the street, unable to get up. he realized it was his customer, her post office. So, West-Dent open, but she could not speak a 90-year-old started looking Chenoweth’s daughter, Loretta or move. Bruzzese called 911 Barton, told the local Fox TV woman, lying around for the station, “He tried to help her in the cold rain. voice, when she and shielded Keener from up, (and) realized she could Katzenberger could saw Kiley lying on the sun as they waited for not (get up). He picked her up see a large puddle the ground on the emergency services to arrive. in his arms, and he carried her of blood under- side of her house. The carrier talked to Keener inside her home, got her a tele- neath the woman’s “I go over and she to keep her calm until the phone, made sure I was on my head. It was tells me she fell paramedics arrived about way. And, I just think that he’s apparent that she down and now she 10 minutes later. Keener told a hero.” Chenoweth suffered had been there for can’t get up. I ask Bruzzese she had been on the a broken leg, and Barton said some time due to her if she wants ground for about three hours her mother would come home the color of blood Christian Bruzzese an ambulance and until he found her.

42 The Postal Record June 2014 Help on the way n Dec. 15, 2012, Central waiting on the rescue squad, ebbie Bykowski was DiSilvestri and applying the OFlorida Branch 1091 she applied cold compresses Dworking in the post office Heimlich maneuver. In three member Michael Trapp was and gave the man water. The one morning last fall when attempts, Rivera was able to on his route when he noticed victim had told her that he she noticed a maintenance dislodge the obstruction. a customer lying inside his must have passed out from man up on a lift changing the garage. He rushed over to the heat. light bulbs, though he was itchell, SD Branch 498 render assistance to a resi- standing in a position that Mmember Curtis Hohbach dent by helping him up from n Aug. 16, 2013, Downers appeared unusual to her. The was about to deliver a pack- his garage floor, where the OGrove, IL Branch 1870 Naples, FL Branch 4716 mem- age one day last spring when man had fallen and could not member Fabian Muratore ber continued on with her he noticed a woman tending get up. “But more impor- was delivering a parcel when work, but noticed a few min- to her husband who had fall- tantly, your tactful efforts to he saw a customer fall while utes later that the man hadn’t en on the sidewalk. The man get the resident to agree to trimming his bushes. The moved at all. She asked had suffered cuts below his allow you to call 911 to have carrier asked his customer him, “Are you OK?” He didn’t eye and to his hand. Hohbach paramedics come and check if he was OK, and the man respond. Bykowski immedi- assessed the situation and his condition resulted In said that he was. Muratore ately notified management. It called 911. He waited with the ultimately leading to medi- returned to his postal vehicle was later discovered that the man’s distraught wife and cal care that discovered a and asked his supervisor to man was experiencing a side helped keep the man still life-threatening medical request a wellness check. effect from diabetes. until emergency personnel condition for which he is now Muratore’s supervisor called arrived on the scene. receiving treatment,” the 911. A few minutes later, the s Richard Johnson was local homeowners associa- customer’s wife found her Amaking a delivery on May hile on his route on Aug. tion wrote to the post office. husband on the floor in the 1, 2013, he heard someone W8, 2013, Belleville, IL “Your care and concern for family room, but thanks to calling for help. The Hunting- Branch 155 member Gerard the residents of our neighbor- Muratore’s request, paramed- ton, WV Branch 359 member Luebbers came across a hood have been manifested ics were quickly at the door. cracked open the door to find patron, Mr. Wright, lying un- in your actions, and we want The customer had suffered customer Jennie Riley on the conscious on his front porch. you to know that we deeply a heart attack. The couple floor needing assistance. Luebbers, a former EMT, appreciate you.” wrote a letter to the post of- Johnson called 911 and wait- jumped into action, trying to fice thanking Muratore for his ed until emergency respond- revive Wright and checking n Aug. 9, 2013, Greens- fast thinking. ers arrived. Riley went to the him for a pulse. When he Oboro, NC Branch 630 post office a few days later could not find one, the carrier member Jenny McDonough n May 13, 2013, carrier to say that Johnson’s quick called 911 and then stayed came upon an accident as ORichard Debeer noticed reaction may have saved her with Wright until emergency she was going to her next that a customer hadn’t picked life, because she had been responders arrived. delivery. A van had run head up her mail from her box having a reaction to medicine first into a ditch. The car- in a few days, which was she had taken. hen Farmingham, NM rier saw that the driver was unusual. So, the Hazelwood, WBranch 4377 member hunched over the steer- MO Branch 5847 member ne morning in late Lonnie Sanchez heard that ing wheel, so McDonough knocked on the door, but re- ONovember 2013, Staten his co-worker, rural car- secured her vehicle and ceived no response. Next, he Island, NY Branch 99 member rier Karen Mayfield, had approached the van. As she talked to the neighbors, who Domingo Rivera and other suffered a heart attack on did so, she noticed smoke hadn’t seen her either. They carriers were taking a break at the workroom floor on April coming from the engine com- continued to call her and the post office. Fellow Branch 9, 2013, he rushed to help. partment. She was attempt- knock on the woman’s door, 99 member Charlie DiSilves- Mayfield was not breathing, ing to help the victim escape to no response. So, the group tri was eating his breakfast so Sanchez and two other from the vehicle when other called police. Responding of- when a piece of bagel got employees administered CPR citizens showed up to assist ficers went inside the house caught in his throat. Ri- until paramedics arrived. her. McDonough stayed with and found the customer in vera saw that DiSilvestri was They lost her about four times the victim until emergency the bathroom, unable to starting to choke, and so he before she was taken to the crews showed up. While move. sprung into action, grabbing hospital.

June 2014 The Postal Record 43 Carrier gives a patron a big lift As Eau Claire, WI Branch 728 mem- the Leader Telegram. “I yelled and business where 911 was called, Pevan ber James Pevan was delivering his yelled. I kept my faith, knowing some- thinks the accident must have hap- route on the afternoon of July 15, 2013, one would come to rescue me.” pened right before he showed up on he spotted his customer, Jose Guerrero, Pevan did his best to try to free Guer- his route. “One of the guys (at the in a precarious situation. rero himself. “l grabbed the jack and shop) took a car out and said they saw “I pulled up to deliver to the house, started to jack up the vehicle, but he (Guerrero) walking around the van ... and I could see him under the vehi- had started to scream, so I stopped,” and that must have been about two cle,” Pevan told the Eau Claire Leader Pevan told the Leader Telegram. minutes before I got there,” he told the Telegram. “When I turned around, I Police and EMTs soon arrived to help Herald. thought I could hear him yelling. It just just a few minutes later. Pevan helped Chippewa Falls police Lt. Matthew didn’t seem right.” two police officers and a few passers- Kelm praised everyone involved in Pevan didn’t have a phone on him, by lift the vehicle up a few inches to freeing Guerrero. “(Guerrero) did sur- so he ran across the street and asked get the vehicle off Guerrero’s face and vive in large part due to the quick and people to call 911. chest, while EMTs pulled him out. heroic actions of the letter carrier, of- Guerrero had been working un- Guerrero told the newspaper that ficers and EMTs,” Kelm told the Leader derneath his van in his dirt driveway he had been conscious the whole time Telegram. when the jack he was using to lift the before being taken to a local hospital, Guerrero was especially grateful for vehicle apparently slipped off a ply- where an exam showed he didn’t have his letter carrier’s actions. “If it wasn’t wood base, sinking into the grass and any broken bones. He received staples for the mailman, I don’t know where causing the van to pin the man. in one ear and an eyebrow to repair I’d be,” he told the Leader Telegram. “(The van) was on his stomach and cuts and has a scar on his head. But the 18-year postal veteran all the way up to his head,” Pevan told “I don’t think the whole episode doesn’t think he’s a hero. “I’m just the Chippewa Falls Herald. took more than 10 minutes,” Pevan glad he’s OK,” he told the Herald about “I started kicking my feet, hoping told the Herald. Guerrero. “The police and EMTs got someone would see me,” Guerrero told Talking with employees at the local there really quickly and got him out.” Help on the way illeen, TX Branch 4217 member her that he couldn’t get the bleed- KTraci Schellbach-Wyrick rang ing to stop. Schellbach-Wyrick told the doorbell of her customer to him to keep firm pressure on the deliver a package on Jan. 11. He wound as she called 911. During the was yelling, “Not now, not now,” call, the man’s father and wife ar- Schellbach-Wyrick recalled. Then he rived. The wife was able to wrap her said, “Can you help me?” The man husband’s hand further with medi- explained that he had just fallen cal tape, while Schellbach-Wyrick through his ceiling and severely relayed instructions from the 911 sliced up his hand, which he had operator. The carrier stayed on the used to grab hold to some razor- line until ambulances arrived to take sharp metal bands around the her customer to the hospital. The air-conditioning duct work as he injury severed an artery, causing fell. He had just wrapped his hand massive bleeding and cut tendons in a kitchen towel and made it to and it nearly took two fingers off. Traci Schellbach-Wyrick of Killeen, TX the door when Schellbach-Wyrick The patron had surgery a few days Branch 4217 recently was thanked by her rang. The carrier followed him and after the accident and doctors said customer, Derland Bahr, who the carrier a trail of blood through the house they believed he would have a full helped after he suffered a major hand injury. to the kitchen sink, where he told recovery.

44 The Postal Record June 2014