What:

Monterey Park Fire Department honor Monterey Park letter carrier Bryan Cocadiz for his heroic actions.

Who:

Bryan Cocadiz, Monterey Park Carrier
Monterey Park Fire Department
U.S. Postal Service management

When:

Monday, November 13, 2023, 1:00 p.m.
Media Alert: Please RSVP to Kristina.Uppal@usps.gov for entry.

Where:

Monterey Park Post Office, 245 W Garvey Ave., Monterey Park, CA 91754

Background:

Monterey Park Letter Carrier Bryan Cocadiz will be recognized for his heroic actions that saved a resident from a fire.

What started as a normal day delivering along his route quickly turned to an emergency response when Cocadiz noticed the smell of smoke coming from a nearby home. For the past 25 years Cocadiz has delivered and served the Monterey Park community, in his role he has become not only a familiar face but also the eyes and ears of the neighborhood.

Upon smelling the smoke Cocadiz quickly sprang into action he proceeded to bang on the door of the home shouting to alert the residents. When he noticed black smoke and flames spilling from the kitchen, he moved his vehicle further down the block and then proceeded to call 911.

Cocadiz reported the incident to the emergency dispatchers and waited for the fire engines to arrive. The fire department arrived quickly and upon their arrival a resident had come out of the structure covered in soot. The resident informed the fire department that the banging and yelling Cocadiz made awakened him, and he was able to escape.

“I reacted quickly because it is my responsibility to my customers and as a fellow human to help those in need,” said Cocadiz.
The Monterey Park Fire Department will recognize Cocadiz in a special ceremony at his Post Office.

Cocadiz is also nominated for a Postmaster General Hero Award.

The Postmaster General Hero Award is given to those who perform a heroic act above and beyond the call of duty while on the job.

“Bryan’s quick actions and aid to our customer makes him a hero in the eyes of the Postal Service and to the community,” said A/District Manager Aron Jones.  “We are incredibly proud of Bryan and all of our employees that go above and beyond normal duties.”

The U.S. Postal Service is observing the 20th anniversary of the Postmaster General Heroes’ Program, which was created in 2003 to commend USPS employees who go above and beyond the call of duty in a variety of situations, such as assisting lost children, getting help for sick or injured customers, spotting fires, and more.

Around 5,500 individuals, known as PMG heroes, have been recognized through the program, which reflects a simple, yet powerful, idea: Because they know the habits of their customers and the rhythms of their communities, Postal Service employees are often the first to notify emergency personnel and render aid when something is wrong.

Potential PMG heroes are nominated by postal colleagues. After approved nominees receive a commendation letter from Postmaster General Louis DeJoy, they are featured in the “Heroes’ Corner” column on Link, the organization’s national employee news site, where it has become a popular mainstay. In 2020, “Heroes’ Corner” received a national award for excellence in employee communications.

PMG heroes’ stories are archived at link.usps.com/heroes to illustrate how Postal Service employees do so much more for their communities than deliver mail.

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