Link is looking back at the year in “Heroes’ Corner” with a countdown of the 10 most-viewed articles.
Coming in at No. 9 is “Paying ATTN,” the story of Jason Stephenson.
The letter carrier was making deliveries in Orlando, FL, when he noticed mail addressed to a 71-year-old customer at a residence where she did not live.
Stephenson made sure that the woman, who lives nearby, received that day’s correspondence, as well as subsequent mail — all from a credit union.
It was her only tip-off that she was being defrauded.
The customer alerted police, who opened an investigation along with the Postal Inspection Service. Within a month, her ex-daughter-in-law, who lives at the residence where the suspicious mail was addressed, was arrested and faced multiple charges, including credit card fraud, grand theft and exploitation of an elderly person.
“Absent an attentive mail carrier, this fraud could have continued, undetected, for an extended period of time,” a detective noted in the arrest report.
If you know of heroic colleagues like Stephenson, 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.