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 202-756-7403 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 from the vehicle as possible. They asked many packages—think of police the man if there was anyone else in the Hofficers or firefighters. But for vehicle, and he said there was not. some citizens in need of assistance, their Roberts said that as a Marine, “We’re heroes come in the form of concerned trained to run toward the danger, not letter carriers. away from it.” Letter carriers are members of nearly Emergency responders soon arrived every community in this nation and and put out the fire, which they sus- know when something is wrong. Spot- pected had started from a mechanical ting fires and injuries, they often are the malfunction. The driver suffered some first to respond. The following stories smoke inhalation but otherwise was not document their heroism. For them, deliv- injured. “The car burned down to basi- ering for America is all in a day’s work. cally ashes,” Roberts said. Despite praise for his heroics, the CCA Carrier not deterred by insisted he is just a concerned citizen. “I flaming car feel like anybody would have done it,” Roberts said. Rapid City, SD Branch 1225 member Kene Roberts was driving home from work one day in November just a few weeks after beginning as a city carrier assistant when he saw an alarming sight on the highway: a car traveling in the opposite direction with its bottom on fire in the engine and axle area. “I turned around as quick as I could,” the carrier said. “It took maybe 30 sec- onds to catch up to the guy.” Shannon Peterson As he was doing so, he called 911 and gave the operator directions to where Watching out for her route they were. At that point, the elderly man driving the flaming car had pulled Minneapolis Branch 9 member off the road. Now there was smoke Shannon Peterson was delivering her pouring from the windows as flames route on June 20, 2016, when she noticed engulfed the car. “I just feared this guy a woman walking on the sidewalk. “I wasn’t going to do well,” Roberts, a was observing her and she looked like Marine Corps veteran, said. she was struggling a bit.” Roberts, along with two other pass- The carrier pulled over and spoke to ersby, ran to the vehicle. The man and the woman to see if she was OK. “She woman who had stopped to help had seemed lucid,” Peterson said. “She said trouble pulling the man from the ve- she was on a walk.” hicle, so Roberts tried a fireman pull by The carrier could see swelling on the yanking him from under his chest. “I did woman’s body and what appeared to be my best to pull him out,” he said. “He a dialysis port. She asked her a series of kept saying, ‘my wheelchair, my wheel- questions, and the woman responded chair.’ ” Roberts retrieved the wheelchair easily enough. She asked her, “Do you need help?” and the woman responded, Rapid City, SD Branch 1225 member Kene from the trunk and put it near him. Roberts received media attention for his Scared that the vehicle might explode, “No, I’m fine.” role in helping a man escape a burning car. they quickly got the man as far away Peterson was uncomfortable leaving

32 The Postal Record June 2017 Ray Griffin her there, but the woman had answered The 17-year letter carrier didn’t bit. “He said, ‘I don’t want to die here,’ ” everything correctly, so the carrier fin- consider herself a hero; she said she just Griffin said. “He was in a panicked state.” ished her route and returned to the office tries to watch out for the community. “I The carrier and neighbors stayed with to punch out for the day. think it’s something we all need to be Franks to make sure he could breathe and As she was leaving work, Peterson watching out for,” Peterson said. was as comfortable as possible. checked her Facebook news feed and Emergency crews showed up within a saw a story pop up about a local missing Customer’s life few minutes and took over. When Grif- person, matching the description of the in carrier’s hands fin saw that his customer was in good woman she had met on her route in the hands, he returned to his duties. same clothing. “It was obviously her,” Puyallup/Sumner Merged, WA Branch He later found out that a blood Peterson said. 1484 member Ray Griffin was delivering clot had traveled from Franks’ leg to She promptly called police to let them packages on Sunday, Dec. 18, when he his lungs, which blocked or partially know. They asked her about the location saw one of his customers, Mr. Franks, blocked two major blood vessels. and health of the woman, who had ap- walking up the sidewalk. Franks has started calling Griffin his parently walked away from a hospital When the carrier looped by again, “Ray of sunshine”—playing on the car- and had not been heard from. Peterson the man seemed to be in a lot of pain rier’s name—and wrote a letter to the drove back out to her route while on the and was huffing and puffing. The- car post office commending the carrier’s phone with the police and found the rier asked the man if he was OK, and actions. “I am writing to commend woman again near the same spot where “I heard him moaning,” Griffin said. “I one of your carriers for literally saving she had talked to her an hour before. didn’t know what was going on.” my life,” he wrote. “If Ray hadn’t been The carrier reported to police their Before Franks could reply, he collapsed there, I could have died. His calm, exact location and stayed with the to the ground. The carrier saw that Franks comforting demeanor helped bolster woman until officers arrived. “She had had vomited. “He couldn’t breathe, so I my spirits while [we] waited for the walked a couple of miles away from her was going to start CPR,” Griffin said. “I ambulance. I have heartily thanked dialysis center and had been walking all thought, ‘His life’s in my hands.’ ” Ray since then. He’s my hero and afternoon,” Peterson said. He called 911 and then rolled Franks should be recognized as such.” Police took the woman back to the to one side and cleared his airway. Two Griffin, a 32-year postal veteran as well hospital. Later, they called Peterson to neighbors came outside to help, and the as an Air Force veteran, denied any ac- tell her that she had greatly helped the carrier asked that they call the man’s colades for his actions. “Anybody would woman—that she likely would not have family. They then stayed to assist Griffin. have done the same,” he said. “To me, been able to function much longer in her “It was a team effort,” the carrier said. it was something that I was there at the medical condition. Franks came to and was talking a little right time.” Neighborhood watch saw three teens walking one of the group go near homeowners soon after. The “Idown the street,” West a customer’s garage. “I’m customer told the post office Coast Florida Branch 1477 watching him the whole time that they were grateful for the member TyReke McGruder and I see him come out riding carrier’s actions, and that the said as he was delivering a bicycle,” McGruder said. bike was not expensive but it his mail route in a retire- The carrier called police and was her husband’s transpor- ment community on Dec. 29. gave a description and loca- tation around the retirement The teenagers were milling tion to them. The next day, park. McGruder called his about the neighborhood the teenagers showed up actions just part of the job. suspiciously, checking yards to a bicycle event the police “We’re the eyes and ears of and garages. “My instincts department was putting on, the whole community,” the kicked in, like, ‘they’re up to and officers there discovered third-year letter carrier said. something,’ ” McGruder said. the stolen bike. The recov- “If I have a gut feeling, I’ll be TyReke McGruder Soon, the carrier witnessed ered bike was returned to the on alert.”

June 2017 The Postal Record 33 Proud to Serve

Oklahoma City Branch 458 member Reggie Sloan was interviewed by a local TV station after helping a woman escape her burning home. Carrier delivers just in time called him back to the scene to provide man, he yelled for neighbors to call 911. information. When the resident he saved The man called out “Help me, help While Oklahoma City Branch 458 saw him, she ran across the yard and me!” He threw the package over a fence member Reggie Sloan was approach- gave him a hug. “Thank you for saving then began climbing after it, with Peller ing a duplex on his route to deliver mail my life,” she said. close on his tail trying to pull him down. on Jan. 27, “I saw smoke coming out of The third-year letter carrier said he The second man then appeared a window,” he said. He approached the was glad he could be there, but denied behind Peller and pulled at him. As burning unit, but said there was too any heroics. “I was just in the right place the first man ran off, Peller tackled the much smoke to reach the door. “It was at the right time,” Sloan said. “I would second. “We were tussling big-time,” burning pretty good,” he said. want someone to do that for me.” Peller said. So Sloan ran to the front of the duplex The carrier pinned the man to the to alert the woman who lived in the It’s not smart to mess ground just as neighbors started coming other unit; he knew she was home. “She up to them. A tenant from a complex normally waits for me to get her mail,” with letter carriers across the street asked Peller, “Do you he told KWTV-TV. As Milwaukee Branch 2 member need any assistance?” and then secured “I beat on the door,” he said, to no Scott Peller was on his route on Nov. the man on the ground. avail. “I wasn’t going to take no for an 17, he went up to a house to deliver a Police arrived, and Peller told them he answer because I knew the woman was few packages. While he knocked on needed to retrieve the stolen package. inside.” the door, two men he didn’t know ap- Soon police dogs and postal inspec- Sloan continued beating on the door, proached and claimed the packages tors came to investigate, discovering and the woman finally appeared and were theirs. illegal substances inside the packages. said she had been sleeping. He told her, “You need proper identification,” Pel- Milwaukee police took the first man “You need to get out—it’s going to spread ler told them. One of the men grabbed into custody and took the second to the pretty quick.” one of the parcels, hit the carrier and hospital. While the carrier has not heard Neighbors called 911. Firefighters started running, telling his friend to grab an update on the first man, the second unfortunately found the resident of the the other one. one is awaiting trial. burned unit dead in her bedroom. Unscathed, Peller took off after the The 20-plus year carrier doesn’t con- Though Sloan had continued on his one who ran. “I told him it was a federal sider himself a hero. “I thought it was route when he saw that the situation was offense and don’t mess around with just my duty,” Peller said. “I just kept in good hands, fire investigators later me,” he said. As the carrier chased the doing what I thought was proper.” Eye on the elderly ayton, OH Branch 182 up,” Haney said. “She knew to comfort her until medics Dmember Eric Haney was I would come up there.” The arrived. EMTs determined the on his route on Dec. 1 when carrier attempted to open woman had a sprained ankle, he approached the home the door, but it was locked. and she underwent some of one of his nonagenarian Haney yelled to the woman physical therapy following her customers. “I was walking that because the door was hospital stay. The woman’s up to the door and I heard locked, he would have to family soon came to the post her screaming,” the carrier break it down to get in. The office to give their thanks for said. The woman had appar- woman said that was OK, so Haney’s actions. Even after ently fallen the night before Haney went for it. Once in- receiving praise, the 26-year and knocked the phone off side, Haney found the woman letter carrier and Navy veteran the hook, and her Life Alert lying on the floor and called thinks it’s “silly” to be called necklace wasn’t working. 911 as well as the woman’s a hero, “because I think it’s “She was able to crawl to the friend and her son. The car- something anyone would Eric Haney Darren front door but couldn’t get rier stayed with his patron do.”

34 The Postal Record June 2017 Help on the way approached the house of an so Stanford ran over to help elderly customer to make a the woman. “She was bleed- David Phillips delivery on Dec. 9, “I heard ing heavily from the face,” the her calling for help,” she said. carrier said. “There was blood sitting inside her car in her The carrier looked around the everywhere.” Stanford helped driveway. As Phillips ap- corner and found the woman Susskind up and offered to proached the woman to hand lying on the icy ground in call an ambulance, but she short sleeves. She told Trout declined. In the meantime, a her the mail, he noticed that she had taken her recyclables passing vehicle also stopped. Link appeared to be in dis- outside and tripped on her The driver knew Susskind and tress. “I put my hand on the front steps. Trout called 911. volunteered to take her back window and told her to put to the complex. The woman the window down,” he said. Brandy Miller “It was really, really cold,” the carrier said. “I went got into the vehicle and Stan- “She was drooling and inco- ford saw that it headed back herent.” He asked through the n Jan. 19, St. Louis Branch inside to get her a blanket to wrap around her.” She also toward the woman’s building. car window if she was OK, but O343 member Brandy “I was concerned about what Miller was driving to begin grabbed a rug for the woman the woman did not respond. to sit on to get off the wet happened still,” Stanford The carrier requested that her mail route when she saw said. “I didn’t just want her ground. Trout waited with the she open the locked car door. someone walking alongside to go home.” So the carrier woman until EMTs loaded Link attempted to unlock the the road in a heavy traffic decided to go to the complex her into an ambulance. doors, but had trouble with area. “I saw him stumbling,” and alert the staff, who in turn she said. The man then fell The woman had broken her her hands and could not get called 911 to provide Susskind them unlocked. But through on the side of the street. “I shoulder and arm but soon medical aid. He later checked the trunk, “We could reach stopped and I got out and returned home to recover. “I on the woman and found that went over to him,” the carrier don’t think I’m a hero,” the she was doing all right. The 10- over and unlock it,” the carrier said. “I put him on his side second-year letter carrier said. year letter carrier brushed off said. “There was a burst of and made sure he wasn’t “When someone is hurt, you any heroics, though. “That’s heat escaping from the car.” biting his tongue.” The carrier do everything you can to help somebody’s grandmother,” Phillips called 911 while the was worried he might be hit, them.” Stanford said. “I would want trainee relocated the LLV to so she moved him further someone to do that for my allow the ambulance entrance away from the street as cars n Dec. 27, New Jersey mother or grandmother.” to the dirt lane. Both carri- whizzed by, and she called OMerged Branch 38 ers stayed with the customer 911. When the man came to, member Jerell Stanford was ne day until the ambulance arrived “he didn’t know what was delivering his Olast Sep- to take Link to the hospital. going on,” Miller said. She route when tember, East- The customer apparently didn’t want to stress him out, he saw his ern Shore, had been in diabetic shock. so she comforted the man customer Fay MD Branch “It was a pretty scary situa- and waited with him until help Susskind, 902 mem- tion,” Phillips said. After Link arrived. The man apparently a resident ber David has epilepsy and was having of a nearby recovered, she wrote a thank- Phillips was you note to the post office a seizure. Paramedics soon senior com- delivering expressing her gratitude to the arrived to take him to the plex, walking mail on his hospital, and Miller now sees down the route with a carriers for their help. Phillips him out and about. The third- street. trainee when doesn’t consider himself a year letter carrier said it was “When I “we came hero, though. “It was good second nature to try to assist. looked back, upon a car,” to help. I don’t feel like I did “I just think it’s something you I didn’t see Phillips said. anything more than any of my should do if you see someone her,” the They noticed co-workers would have done,” who needs help,” she said. carrier said. that a regular the five-year letter carrier said. Susskind customer, “We’re out there every day. had fallen to We’re basically first respond- s Rochester, NY Branch Jerell Stanford Elizabeth A210 member Crystal Trout the ground, Link, was ers as mailmen.” June 2017 June 2017 The Postal Record 35 Neighborhood watch was walking back after a the street. “All of a sudden, odor of “Ilong loop,” Carbondale, I saw a kid running toward gas,” he PA Branch 163 Frank Surace a car,” he said. The car- said. Sus- said of his route on Nov. rier, who is the office safety pecting a South Florida Branch 1071 member Louie Golden 16, when he saw a toddler captain and trainer, quickly gas leak, received media attention after he helped police standing on the edge of the ran toward the 5-year-old the carrier apprehend a man who had allegedly robbed and assaulted his customer. curb about 40 yards away, as a car was traveling fast knocked appearing ready to walk toward him. Hearst put his on the ing her, punching her, and out onto a busy highway. “I hands up to signal the driver. door and let the homeowner trying to grab her purse,” he started running after her,” “I grabbed him and stopped know, and they in turn called said. Golden ran over to help the carrier said. “She had her the car,” Hearst said. “It was the gas company. The resi- his customer. The elderly eye on me, and I said, ‘Don’t a spontaneous thing. He was dent contacted Friend soon woman, Betty Ann Curtis, said move.’ ” The carrier reached going to be hurt.” Hearst after to thank him for his at- she had parked her car and the 2-year-old and picked her carried his young patron to tentiveness. She said it had was approaching her house up just before she could step the safety of his mother, who indeed been a large gas leak, when a man came up and was nearby and kept telling and his actions may have knocked on her car window him, “Amigo, thank you.” The prevented a tragedy. About a to ask if she had any money. second-generation letter car- month later on his route at a He then tried to grab her rier insisted that anyone else different house, Friend again handbag. “He dragged me to would have done the same smelled the scent of natural the middle of the street and I thing. “It’s just amazing what gas and was trying to kick him,” Curtis a letter carrier does,” Hearst, notified the told the local NBC-TV news residents, a 10-year postal veteran, said. affiliate. “It was horrible. I who then “You see a lot of things. I was thought he was going to kill had their glad I was on this route that me.” Golden quickly took gas line day. It’s good that God put out his phone to call 911. The checked me in this situation to help suspect had started running, out for a somebody.” so the carrier pursued him in Kenneth Friend leak. The Frank Surace his LLV while on the phone uffalo-Western New York 31-year BBranch 3 member postal veteran rejected any with an operator. “I was in off the curb. She kept look- Kenneth Friend was going accolades for his actions, my vehicle and I was able to ing at one house, so Surace about his route one day though. “There’s nothing catch up to him,” he said. “I took the girl to that home in November and as he exciting about this story,” was giving them turn-by-turn and knocked on the door. crisscrossed in front of one Friend said. “I just noticed directions.” Police soon ar- The girl’s mother answered, house, “I detected a strong something and said some- rived to arrest the man, who crying frantically, saying she thing. If it ever happened was subsequently charged thought the door had been at my house, I would hope with robbery and battery. locked. She thanked Surace someone would ring my Curtis suffered some bruises for his actions, but the carrier doorbell and tell me.” but was otherwise OK. She didn’t think it was a big deal. told NBC how grateful she “Thank God she didn’t get was finishing up one of was to her letter carrier. “I am hurt,” the 22-year postal vet- “Imy loops and headed to just so happy,” Curtis said. eran said. “Anybody would the next one,” South Florida “We all depend on police do something like that.” Branch 1071 member Louie officers and law enforcement, Golden said of his route on but this mailman was my law s Painesville, OH Branch Aug. 31. He then saw two enforcement and he really A549 member George people, a man and woman, helped save my life.” Golden, Hearst was delivering his tussling with each other and a fourth-year letter carrier, in- route on May 27, 2016, he the woman was screaming. sisted he was just in the right saw kids playing with a ball in George Hearst “The guy was over her, kick- place at the right time.

36 The Postal Record June 2017 Carrier provides son’s bleeding. “I asked him questions to check his ‘neighborhood watch’ memory,” she said. “I also asked him On March 15, 2016, Garden Grove, CA to smile and stick out his tongue, to Branch 1100 member Marcela check for a stroke.” Marcela MacLean MacLean was delivering mail on her Erickson continued to refuse route of nine years when she noticed her medical attention, so MacLean thought postal veteran. “Marcela has become a 92-year-old customer, John Erickson, ly- quickly. “I knew his next-door neigh- friend through her daily rounds,” she ing on his front porch. “There was blood bor worked from home,” she said. “I wrote. “Neither sleet, nor snow, rain everywhere,” the carrier said. asked him to come over, and he did.” nor gloom of the night—and now I add As she checked his vital signs she They then called Erickson’s son-in-law, that neither aiding a fellow customer— learned he had fallen on the porch and a paramedic, who came to the house. will keep them from their appointed hit his head. “He asked if I could help Erickson’s wife came home to find rounds.” him up,” she said. “He was pretty ada- the carrier tending to her husband. MacLean, a 23-year postal veteran, mant that he didn’t want 911 called.” “She even cleaned up the blood on the doesn’t consider herself a hero. “It’s MacLean noticed that the front door porch so I wouldn’t see it,” Mrs. Er- not something anyone else wouldn’t was open, so “I just grabbed him by ickson told USPS. “Marcela took good have done,” she said. “The uniqueness the back of his pants and got him to care of my husband until I returned.” of our job is that we’re the original his chair,” the carrier said. She then Mrs. Erickson later wrote a letter to neighborhood watch. I’m glad I was found a towel to try to staunch Erick- the post office commending the 22-year there.”

Help on the way urley, WI Branch 2285 to take him to the hospital. said. Mills decided to call Hmember Scott Czerneski The man had apparently police to ask for a welfare was on his route on Satur- been low on potassium, check on the man. When re- day, Nov. 5, when he found which made him dizzy and sponding officers got there, one of his elderly customers affected his breathing. The they found the customer on in his usual position. “He man soon returned home to the floor and took him to was sitting on the tailgate recover. Czerneski said his the hospital. “He had fallen of his truck,” the carrier helpful actions were all in and couldn’t get up,” Mills said. He yelled out, “Hi!” a day’s work. “I just do the said. The man’s brother but the man didn’t respond. job every day,” he said. later called the post office Looking closer, Czerneski to thank Mills and told her said, “his mouth was wide ount Pleasant, IA that he had been moved to open and his eyes were Branch 660 member M a nursing home. The 30-year open.” The man suddenly Toi Mills noticed mail piling started falling forward off up for one of her customers letter carrier doesn’t think the truck. “I caught him on Oct. 3. “He was usually she’s a hero, though. “When before he nose-planted on waiting for me,” she said. you deliver in your home- the ground,” Czerneski said. “He knew my schedule.” The town, you get attached to The carrier noticed that the carrier knew the customer the people on your route,” man was having trouble well, as he was friends with Mills said. “It’s just what breathing, so he called 911 her dad and she had known you do when you do your and stayed with the man him a long time. “I knew route. You keep track of your Scott Czerneski until an ambulance arrived something was wrong,” she customers.”

June 2017 The Postal Record 37 Eugene Udell Jumping into action across the street to the sub shop and front of the home, so Udell feared he asked, “Where’s the fire extinguisher?” was inside. He knocked. “I heard a noise On Sunday, Nov. 27, New Castle, PA Once he had one in hand, he rushed inside but no one was responding,” the Branch 22 member Ryan Artman had back across the street and put out the carrier said. just finished delivering packages and fire for good. He called 911 and told the operator he had gone to meet his friend Kyle Willis The Air Force veteran told the Tribune wasn’t sure if anyone was inside. “I was for a late lunch at a sub shop. he had put out fires on airplanes before, begging them to please come as quickly As they sat eating at the front of the “but nothing like this.” as possible,” Udell said. shop, the carrier noticed something Firefighters soon arrived on the scene The carrier went to the other side of unusual across the street at the Market and checked to make sure the fire had the house and saw that it was becoming House, a historic building: Two people not spread further; meanwhile, Willis more engulfed with flames. “I knocked were huddled at a bulletin board at the eventually managed to lead a police and knocked,” Udell said. He was trying front of the building. officer to the two people he had to push open a door to relieve some of followed. the smoke as firefighters arrived. Although Artman and Willis Fortunately, no one was inside; the observed two people, only one resident and his grandson drove up as had been charged in connection firefighters began battling the blaze. with the fire. However, the house was a total loss. Meadville Central Fire De- Soon after, Udell helped to coordinate partment Capt. Jill Staaf told an effort in the community for people to the Tribune, “If they hadn’t donate items to the family as they began been there it would’ve caused to rebuild. more damage. They did a great Family members and friends of the job.” At a city council meeting, resident spoke highly of Udell, with one Meadville Mayor LeRoy Stearns stating on a TV news interview, “The issued a proclamation recogniz- mailman knows us very well. He not ing the two “for their heroic only cares about our deliveries, but our Photo courtesy of The Meadville Tribune acts.” lives, too.” New Castle, PA Branch 22 member Ryan Artman (r), Artman dismissed any ac- Udell said he doesn’t consider himself helped stop arson at a historic building while his colades. “I didn’t really think a hero, just a fellow human being. friend Kyle Willis led police to the suspects. anything of it,” the first-year “That’s just part of my job,” the five-year letter carrier said. “I just did it postal veteran said. “There’s just no way When Artman looked over at the because it was the right thing to do.” I could see a fire and not do anything.” building again, the two were walking off, just as flames sprang from the bul- A little holiday heroism Observant carrier helps letin board. elderly customer “I jumped up and yelled for someone “I noticed a little smoke coming from to call 911,” Artman said. While the a home,” Little Rock, AR Branch 35 One day last winter, sub shop’s staff called, he and Willis member Eugene Udell said of delivering Key West, FL Branch ran across the street to the fire. Willis parcels on his regular route last Christ- 818 member Jeremy chased the alleged vandals while Art- mas Eve. Jones was delivering man attended to the fire. Since it was wintertime, he thought his route and came “I literally tried batting it down that the smoke might just be coming up to the house of a because I thought it was just papers from a fireplace. “As I got closer, I began Jeremy Jones 90-year-old customer (on fire),” Artman told The Meadville to smell a soot smell,” he said. “The who lives alone and is Tribune. “Then I realized it was the whole outline of the roof had smoke bil- not very mobile. corkboard.” lowing out.” “I noticed his mail sitting on the small Realizing his bare-handed attempts The carrier knew an elderly man lived white table by his front door where I were for naught, Artman ran back in the home, and there was a car out in always put it,” the carrier said. “When

38 The Postal Record June 2017 Daniel Ochoa I saw that mail there and his Meals on a hero, but said that it was important to Wheels still there, I got worried. He picks check on the elderly in the community. up that mail without fail every day.” “There’s people all over like that,” the a Marine Reservist who also has taken Jones started ringing the bell and 10-year postal veteran said. “You have to some firefighting courses, ran to the banging on the door. “His little dog take a few minutes each day to look out back yard. was running around barking,” he said. for them. I was glad I could help, despite “I was looking for a water hose and “I looked in every window I could but the circumstances of how everything saw a propane tank,” he said. It was could not see him anywhere.” turned out.” near the flames, so he quickly moved He looked around the back but was it, knowing how easily it could catch unable to get into the back yard, so he Marine carrier runs fire and explode. went across the street to a neighbor’s toward fire, not away Ochoa then grabbed a foam cooler house and knocked on the door to ask On Dec. 19, Garden Grove, CA he saw and started using it to scoop them to check on him. The two went pool water to douse the flames. “I back over to the house, but still couldn’t Branch 1100 member Daniel Ochoa was going about his route when the bucket-brigaded it,” he said. get an answer at the door. “We were all Firefighters soon arrived to take scent of smoke caught his attention. “I banging on the windows,” Jones said. over, so Ochoa grabbed his satchel and thought someone at the moment was They called police and then Jones continued his route. barbecuing,” he said. continued on his route. Soon after, he He found out later that the fire may saw an emergency vehicle pull up to But as he turned around on his loop, have started from an electrical issue the man’s door. “I got in my truck and he saw large plumes of smoke coming because the owners recently had work drove back down there,” Jones said. from the back of a customer’s house done. “Little did Daniel know, there Police had jumped over the back and saw a woman running with a was a vent to my attic exactly where the fence, went in through a kitchen child. fire was,” the homeowner, Shirley Ann window and found the man. “He had The carrier quickly made his way Ayala, wrote. “Firefighters said his quick fallen in the back room where no one to the front door and went over to the response stopped the flames from going could see him and was in grave condi- woman, who was with her 4-year-old into my attic and actually saved my home. tion,” Jones said. “I was so happy and granddaughter. He alerted her to what My entire family is so very grateful for his relieved to hear he was alive.” was going on. public act of kindness and bravery.” A few weeks later, the carrier learned “I made sure there was no one inside The first-year letter carrier said that that the man had died after a stay in the the house,” the carrier said. “I heard he couldn’t just sit back. “I just have to hospital followed by rehab. the fire department on the way, but I spring into action,” Ochoa said. “It’s The carrier doesn’t consider himself thought I may be able to help.” Ochoa, something I’ve been taught.” Neighborhood watch n Oct. 26, Peoria, IL the truck stopped just inches The carrier was commended OBranch 31 member Roger short of the woman’s wheel- for his actions, but he brushed Stufflebeam was carrying his chair. “That lady could have off any praise, saying he tries mail route when he noticed an touched the back of the truck to look out for his customers. elderly woman in a wheel- with her hand,” Stufflebeam “Carriers should be aware of chair on the sidewalk parked said. “He didn’t hit her, luck- their surroundings,” the 26- directly behind a large work ily.” The driver got out of the truck with a driver inside. “He truck to see what was going on year letter carrier and Marine started backing up and wasn’t and said he hadn’t seen her. Corps veteran said. “We can stopping,” the carrier said. Stufflebeam checked to make make a difference in people’s The carrier ran toward the ve- sure the woman was OK be- lives. We’re a source of protec- Roger Shufflebeam hicle yelling and waving, and fore continuing on his route. tion for our customers.” PR

June 2017 The Postal Record 39 Eye on the elderly uffalo-Western New him. “I opened the door and home of his nonagenarian the carrier said. “He said he BYork Branch 3 member I hollered, ‘Uvaldo!’ ” she customer. “I was walking could handle it from there, Anthony Meindl was on his said. She found the man off her porch when I heard so I went on my merry way.” route on Sept. 27 when he lying inside his apartment on a yell,” he said. The carrier The carrier sees the woman noticed mail at an elderly the floor. The carrier asked opened the screen door and regularly, and she always customer’s home was piling the man if he needed help. heard her yell again. “I went thanks him for helping her. up. “I saw some flies,” the “He nodded his head,” the in to check on her,” he said, But Duncan denies any carrier said. The man did not carrier said. Gonzales had and he saw the woman lying heroics. “Any letter carrier leave the house much, and throat cancer and seemed to on the floor. “She had a big will help someone out if they previously if the mail accu- be choking and couldn’t get knot on her head and her get a chance,” the 25-year mulated, Meindl would just up. “I called 911 and waited forehead was really black postal veteran said. “That’s knock on the door. This time, with him until they got and blue,” Duncan said. what’s so great about door there was no answer. Con- there,” Bernal said. “I sat on She said she had fallen and delivery.” cerned, the carrier contacted the floor with him and held wasn’t able to get up, but the apartment complex and him.” After the man was put crawled to the front door heard somebody yell asked if they had seen the in an ambulance, the carrier to wait for him. “She was “Iout, ‘Excuse me, can you man. They hadn’t, so Meindl returned to her route, but really confused and didn’t help me?’ ” Sacramento, CA called his supervisor and after work she went to the know what time of day it Branch 133 member Travis then 911. “I said I was a hospital to check on Gonza- was,” Duncan said. The Elliott said of delivering carrier asked the woman if concerned citizen and asked les. The 19-year letter carrier mail on his route on March denied any heroics. “I love she wanted him to call an for a wellness check,” he 8, 2016. The carrier looked my people on my route,” she ambulance, and she said said. The next day, police across the street to locate said. “It’s part of my job.” she’d rather he call her son. contacted carrier Meindl to where the woman’s voice tell him that the customer Duncan did so, and he came was coming from. He then had been in medical distress n Dec. 17, Galesburg, IL over right away. “Between spotted his 90-year-old and likely would not have Branch 88 member Mark the two of us, we got her up O customer, June Stephens. “It survived without him taking Duncan was delivering to the and sat her in the chair,” looked like she had fallen action. “He was sitting in his in her garage,” Elliott said. computer chair, unable to walk,” the carrier said, add- The carrier rushed over and ing that the man’s feet were was able to help the woman rotting and had maggots on up to her feet and inside her them. Meindl has since seen home. He asked Stephens if the man up and about, but she wanted him to call any- he doesn’t consider himself one, and “she said that her a hero. “I was just doing my son was on his way over,” job,” the four-year postal Elliott said. Once he made veteran said. “I would have sure that his customer was done it for anybody.” OK, the carrier continued on his route. Stephens’ daugh- marillo, TX Branch 1037 ter later called the post office Amember Shanalee Bernal to commend Elliott and tell was delivering mail to an him she was grateful he was assisted-living facility on there to assist her mother, her route on July 30 and who was doing fine. The 10- approached the apartment year letter carrier denied any of her customer, Uvaldo serious heroics in the matter, Gonzales. “He always waited though. “I’m not a hero at for me,” the carrier said. Buffalo-Westen New York Branch 3 member Anthony Meindl was all,” Elliott said. “I just hap- “I always looked for him.” recognized by Customer Services Manager Lisa Mesler for his role pened to be there at the right But that day, she didn’t see in helping an elderly customer after he noticed accumulated mail. time.” PR

40 The Postal Record June 2017 Boulder, CO Branch 642 member Adrian Helwig was recognized by local news media for helping to save a customer’s life after the man injured himself outside his home. Fending off dogs Ramirez for helping her. The third-year letter carrier and Navy just part of the job veteran said he considers his actions just On Oct. 17, Waipahu, HI Branch 4683 a part of the job. “You’re out there in the member Josue Ramirez was going about community every single day,” Ramirez his route and saw customer Gina Gertsch said. “You notice things.” walking her Bichon Frise dog along the road. Keeping eyes and ears As the carrier turned the corner in his open can help save a life LLV, “two pit bulls came out of nowhere,” he said. When he looked in his rear-view On the evening of Dec. 5, Boulder, CO mirror, he saw the dogs pounce and grab Branch 642 member Adrian Helwig had the dog from the woman’s arms. finished his route and went back out to Helwig’s awareness, and selfless, com- Ramirez quickly stopped his truck, relieve a carrier on a route he was not passionate actions likely saved his life.” grabbed a mace can and ran toward the familiar with. Helwig has received lots of media at- woman. “I told her, ‘Get behind me,’ ” Helwig was in a secluded, dark resi- tention and admits that “it’s a feel-good he said. “I got in the middle, spraying. It dential area delivering to a house when story,” but he doesn’t think he’s a hero. “I happened so fast.” Spraying the dogs in “I looked up in a yard and saw a little pay attention on my route and keep my the eyes seemed to work, as they both ran dog running around. I thought I heard eyes and ears open,” the 33-year letter off to rub their eyes on the grass. something,” he said. “It was a ‘Help me, carrier said. The carrier asked Gertsch if she lived please’ three times.” nearby and said Following the voice, he came upon the that he would 86-year-old customer outside his garage The eyes, ears—and nose— stay with her and in 20-degree weather. The man was of the neighborhood walk with her to propping himself up against the garage St. Paul, MN Branch 28 member Mike her house. When door. “He was in an awkward position,” Ochs was on his route on March 9 and they got there, he he said. “He wasn’t dressed for it. He was headed to the back of one house for a mentioned that in shorts, a baggy T-shirt and I don’t think delivery. Because the mailbox was near a he had to go back he had shoes on.” to his truck and The patron had apparently fallen when dryer vent, he usually smelled the scent of fabric softener. “It didn’t smell like Josue Ramirez asked if she’d be he let his dog out. “He couldn’t get up, all right. he couldn’t walk,” Helwig told local FOX Downy fresh that day,” he said. She said she news affiliative KWGN-TV. “I got him up, The pungent, woodsy smell gave him would, so Ramirez headed back to vehi- kind of put him in a bear hug and basi- pause and he looked around. “There was cle. He heard someone yell, “Watch out!” cally dragged him into the house.” smoke just barreling out of the chimney,” When he turned around, one of the dogs Once inside, Helwig wrapped the man Ochs said. headed right for him. Ramirez sprayed it in a blanket and then asked, “Is there He delivered the mail and when he saw again, and again it ran to rub its eyes. anyone here that can help you?” The man a neighbor outside at his next delivery, Another woman called the dogs toward said that his wife was upstairs, so Helwig he filled him in. The man told him, “They a gate and managed to get one to run into headed there. The woman was fast asleep just burn wood, so it’s normal.” that yard. “The other one was running and Helwig did not want to wake her, so But Ochs was concerned, so the neigh- around the street,” he said. Someone he instead called 911. The carrier waited bor said he would contact the home- called 911 and the carrier continued on for EMTs to arrive before continuing his owner. The carrier finished a few more his route. Neighbors said they didn’t rounds and went to investigate where the deliveries and was heading back to his know who the dogs’ owner was. man had been outside. Paramedics soon vehicle when he saw the neighbor again Police and SPCA representatives soon arrived to take the customer to the hospi- and asked if he got ahold of the owner. came; they took the one dog in the yard, tal, and the man returned home from the The neighbor said he hadn’t, so Ochs but the other had gone into hiding. hospital to recover a few days later. said he thought, “I better go and knock— Gertsch took her dog to the vet; it had The Boulder County Sheriff’s Of- it just doesn’t seem right.” He went to the broken a rib and was limping for weeks fice commended Helwig, saying the back of the house. “I started knocking until it recovered. She later thanked “[victim’s] survival was at risk. Adrian vigorously,” he said. “I was looking in the

June 2017 The Postal Record 41 windows and the blinds were closed.” Fire-averse carrier watches (He later found out that there were no blinds—he had seen white smoke inside.) out for ‘family’ When he opened the storm door to On July 26, Lynn, MA Branch 7 member try to knock on the actual door, “all this Dan Bean had just delivered to a house smoke comes barreling out,” Ochs said. and was driving on his mail route when “I There was still no answer. saw a little puff of smoke coming from the As he was reaching in his pocket to re- corner of the house,” he said. trieve his cell phone to call 911, the owner He looked closer and saw flames be- came out from the garage and asked Ochs tween the first and second floors. The car- what he needed. The carrier told the man rier quickly went to the fire department that the house was on fire, and the owner on his route, but they were already out called 911. The man’s wife and children on a call. Bean next called 911, and the fortunately were not home. operator said to make sure that everyone As they waited, it appeared that the David Martin was out of the house. man was shaking. “I could see that he The carrier then saw one of the resi- was going into shock,” the carrier said. that he had been there at least two dents out walking in the neighborhood. So Ochs asked the neighbor to retrieve a hours. “He said he was counting on Bean told her, “Your house is on fire. Where is everyone?” The woman made jacket for the owner; it seemed to help. the mailman to show up,” Martin said. it sound as if everyone was out of the “He was happy I took such care,” Ochs Overby did not want to call emer- house. “I asked, ‘do you have a garden said. gency services; he said he was fine, he Firefighters soon arrived at the scene to hose?’ ” Bean said. just couldn’t get up. “I made sure he They did, so the carrier grabbed the put out the fire and clear the smoke. wasn’t bleeding,” Martin said. He lifted The 17-year postal veteran doesn’t think hose and began trying to spray the flames the board off of the man and removed he is a hero, though. “I feel like I just care to put them out as he waited for help. “I the hose from around his ankle. about my fellow man and it’s just what could hear the fire truck coming for the After moving the other items out of anyone else would do,” Ochs said. “I’m longest time,” Bean said. “It took forever, the way, “I grasped him by the fore- just glad there wasn’t further damage and it seemed.” Firefighters soon took to put- no one was hurt.” arms, had him grab mine, and pulled ting out the blaze, so the carrier returned him straight back from under the car,” to his route. the carrier said. “I was repeatedly ask- A local fire inspector later found Bean Doing what needed ing if I could call an ambulance.” on his route to thank him for taking ac- to be done After getting Overby out of the ga- tion. The woman’s two children, 95-year- On Oct. 28, Moorhead, MN Branch rage, Martin had him lie down on the old mother and two dogs had still been 1051 member David Martin was on the ground. “I sat with him for a little bit inside the home, but everyone was able to get out of the home safely with no last loop on his route as he went up to make sure he wasn’t showing signs injuries. The fire started because of an im- to his elderly customer Dick Overby’s of a concussion,” he said. properly disposed cigarette and the house house. “I opened the slot, put the mail The carrier then helped the man had significant damage. Bean also found in and started to walk away when I stand and move to the steps and inside the house. When Overby assured that out that there were two oxygen tanks on heard him call, ‘Hey!” he said. the second floor, so the fire could have he was OK, Martin continued on his The sound was coming from inside been a lot worse had it spread. Overby’s garage. The carrier entered mail route but stopped at a neighbor’s Despite “unbelievable” media atten- the side door of the garage and found house to explain what had happened; tion, Bean doesn’t think he’s a hero. Overby stuck between a car and the the neighbor promised she would The Marine Corps veteran and 30-plus- wall. The customer explained that he check on Overby. year letter carrier insisted he did what was trying to put air in a tire of the car Despite receiving praise, Martin said anyone would normally do. “That’s when he tripped and fell—the cord he doesn’t feel like a hero. “I think any just the nature of us letter carriers,” he of the air hose had wrapped around carrier in our office would have done said. “We’re not going to let something his ankle. When he fell, he had also the same thing,” the fourth-year letter bad happen without stepping in. We knocked over a large board that landed carrier said. “I was doing what needed look out for our customers. My custom- across his shoulder and leg. He said to be done.” ers are my family.” PR

42 The Postal Record June 2017 Help on the way n Dec. 19, Tampa, FL members were waiting to take Phillips said. Once the carrier OBranch 599 member Jerry over. When he saw that the saw that Rideout was in good Lewers was about to start to situation was in good hands, hands to be taken to the deliver his mail route with a Lewers continued on his hospital, he continued on his trainee, fellow Branch 599 route. Despite praise, Lewers route. The man, who ironically member Taniqua Newkirk. doesn’t consider himself a is a defibrillator salesman, The carrier dismounted the hero. “I’m just a mailman who spent nearly two months in truck to put in the code to did a good deed,” the 18- the hospital and then returned open a community gate when year letter carrier said. “Why home. One day when Phillips “I heard what sounded like wouldn’t I want to help?” went to deliver Rideout’s mail, a whisper—a raspy call for he saw a note attached to the help,” he said. He looked over est Coast Florida Branch mailbox that said, “If you are to see an elderly man lying W1477 member Thomas the mail man that saved my in the bushes next to what Phillips was crossing a street life, please ring the doorbell. appeared to be a water pipe. while delivering mail on Sept. You are my angel.” Though He cried again, “Help me! Can 29 when a window salesman Phillips was credited with Tampa, FL Branch 599 member you help me?” Lewers walked who had been going door to Jerry Lewers (r) was thanked by saving his customer’s life, he his customer after he helped over and asked if he wanted door stopped him. As they doesn’t believe he’s a hero. the man home after finding him to call 911. “No one knew were talking, they saw a man, “I was just at the right place him injured. he was there,” Lewers said. Clarence Rideout, out walking at the right time,” the 24-year had pain in both arms and his The man instead held out his his dog. “He suddenly col- postal veteran said. hand and the carrier slowly lapsed,” Phillips said. The car- chest, and his face was bright raised the man to his feet. rier asked the salesman to call ort Collins, CO Branch 849 red,” Ketterling said. Thinking He asked, “Can you take me 911 and ran over to Rideout. Fmember Dennis Ketterling that the symptoms pointed to where I live?” So Lewers At that moment, a nurse drove was working at the post office to a heart attack, the car- asked where that was, and the by and stopped to help. “We on March 31 when he saw a rier asked if he could call 911. man said in the middle of the started chest compressions co-worker, fellow Branch 849 Couperus asked the carrier not complex. Lewers asked, “Are until paramedics arrived,” member Paul Couperus, who to contact anyone, and said he you sure you don’t want me to didn’t appear wanted to drive himself to an call an ambulance?” but the to be doing well urgent care center. But as the man declined, so he asked, after returning man’s condition seemed to “Are you OK to walk?” The to the station. deteriorate, Ketterling began carrier asked Newkirk to make Couperus, who to insist. “When I said ‘heart sure the truck was secure and was usually attack,’ ” Ketterling said, “I to wait there. Lewers put the quite jovial at think he knew what was going man’s arm over his shoulder work, was act- on but wanted confirmation.” and an arm around his waist ing out of the He called 911 and an ambu- and started to walk slowly. But ordinary. “He lance soon arrived. Medics when they made it through the was serious, took Couperus’ blood pressure main gate and around the cor- distressed, and found it to be dangerously ner, “he started to collapse,” pacing back and high. The man had stents put Lewers said. “I swooped him forth,” Ket- in at the hospital and soon up in my arms like a fireman’s terling said. “It returned home to recuperate. hold.” Maintenance staff and instantly struck Despite praise, Ketterling said the apartment manager pulled me as unusual.” it was “ridiculous” to try to call up alongside them in a golf The carrier him a hero. “I just picked up on cart and showed the carrier West Coast Florida Branch 1477 member asked Coupe- some obvious signals,” the 18- Thomas Phillips (r) reunited with his customer which apartment the man Clarence Rideout after helping give chest rus if everything year letter carrier said. “Anyone lived in. Lewers helped him compressions to the man while he was having was all right. who knows Paul would have to his door, where his family a heart attack. “He said he done the same thing.” PR

June 2017 The Postal Record 43