WINSTON SALEM, NC — Willie Farrow, the letter carrier from Winston-Salem who helped save the life of a postal customer last winter when he saw her bleeding through her window and called for help, was recognized by his union this week as a national hero.

He was visited by Judy Willoughby, National Business Agent for the National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC), the union representing city letter carriers throughout the U.S. Willoughby traveled to Winston-Salem Manor Post Office from Florida to deliver a hero certificate and an NALC hero pin, with a congratulatory message from NALC President Frederick Rolando.

“On or off duty, letter carrier heroes generously deliver that ‘extra service’ to the American public every day, and in doing so they proudly carry on a great tradition of delivering for America, six days a week,” said Willoughby in front of nearly 90 employees at the Post Office. “Willie, your dedication and willingness to help is the reason letter carriers are and have been the most trusted government employees for years.”

The busy holiday season meant delivering a lot of packages for Farrow, but one stop on his route was the ultimate gift to customer Ann Richards. Farrow was delivering to a door slot in the early evening and noticed Ms. Richards hadn’t turned on her Christmas lights. After peering inside the window next to her door slot, he saw the outline of a person lying on the floor – and he saw blood. When Farrow’s knock on the glass didn’t elicit any movement, he dialed 911 and reported what he saw.

Police, fire and medical units quickly responded to the scene and Ms. Richards was transported to a nearby hospital, while Farrow completed his route. Several days later, he learned Ms. Richards was recovering in the hospital’s Intensive Care Unit, and her son thanked the carrier, saying it likely saved her life. Farrow was grateful for the news. “I was relieved to know she was okay. I wish I’d gotten there sooner,” he said. 

The Postal Service receives no tax dollars for operating expenses and relies on the sale of postage, products and services to fund its operations.

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