Winston-Salem Letter Carrier Willie Farrow

WINSTON SALEM, NC — One Winston-Salem postal employee swung into action recently and his heroic actions likely saved a life. The busy holiday season meant delivering a lot of packages for Letter Carrier William 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. Meanwhile, as all superheroes do, Farrow removed his figurative cape and 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. By all accounts, though, Farrow arrived just in time.

These days, Farrow is delivering Priority Mail packages emblazoned with images of a comic book hero, but, for Ms. Richards, Farrow is the true hero.

Farrow received the PMG Hero Award in February, but Thursday he’s slated to receive additional recognition by the National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC). National Business Agent Judy Willoughby will join Acting District Manager Ronnie White and Winston-Salem Postmaster Toni Gorman as Willoughby travels from Florida to honor North Carolina’s hero carriers.

The ceremony will begin at 8 a.m. at Winston Salem’s Manor Station, located at 3331 Healy Drive.

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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