Link is looking back at the year in “Heroes’ Corner” with a countdown of the 10 most-viewed articles.
Coming in at No. 1 is “‘I can’t die,’” the story of Richard Henderson.
The Canton, OH, letter carrier was delivering mail last winter when he thought he heard a car backfire.
Henderson turned around and saw a vehicle speeding off as a man ran toward him.
“Please call 911!” he yelled. “I’ve been shot!”
The Postal Service employee immediately took off his sweater as the man lay down on the ground, and applied pressure to the wound while calling 911.
As he rendered first aid, Henderson asked the victim for details about the incident and relayed them to a neighbor on the scene, as a backup in case anything was forgotten in the swirl of activity.
“I can’t die,” the man said repeatedly. “I just had a baby girl.”
Emergency responders soon arrived to provide further assistance.
“Rich is an Army veteran, and his training and quick thinking gave this young man a second chance at life,” said local Customer Services Manager Leanne Ramer. “I commend his actions, his selflessness, and his dedication to the Postal Service while performing his duties on a daily basis, no matter the circumstances.”
Henderson also represented USPS in a video tribute to the nation’s essential workers that aired during this year’s Super Bowl.
If you know of heroic colleagues like Henderson, the Postal Service wants to know about them, too.
Employees recognized through the Postmaster General Heroes’ Program must be nominated for the award. Corporate Communications reviews nominations for accuracy, then sends them to the Postal Inspection Service and the Office of Inspector General for approval.
Following approval, each nominee receives a commendation letter from Postmaster General Louis DeJoy.
Honorees are also featured in Link’s “Heroes’ Corner” column.
To nominate an employee, complete PS Form 400, Corporate Communications PMG Hero Nomination, and email it to PMG_HeroNominations@usps.gov.