Grand Rapids, MI — United States Postal Service Letter Carrier Wilma Daley received the highest honor a postal employee can get – a Postmaster General (PMG) Hero Award for an act of bravery while on the clock. 

Daley was delivering on her route in Grand Rapids, MI. during a winter storm when she noticed a customer lying in his driveway.

The man, who had fallen while attempting to take his trash can to the road, was unable to get himself up because his arm was broken, and the right side of his body had gone numb.

The customer, a retired Kentwood, Michigan Police Officer, had been lying there for about 30 minutes when Daley happened upon him. She couldn’t lift him by herself, so she flagged down a passing driver to assist.

The two were able to get the wounded man safely inside his home.

The grateful customer, who was later treated at a hospital, said he might not be here today if it weren’t for Daley’s efforts.

In a letter from Postmaster General Louis DeJoy, Daley was commended for the way she handled the situation.

“I want to commend your selfless display of civic duty. You deserve the highest level of admiration for coming to the aid of a customer. Thank you for being the eyes and ears of your community,” wrote DeJoy. “Your efforts are a timely reminder of the ties that bind communities and our country together.”

20-year anniversary of Heroes program

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.

In 2022, the Postal Service recognized 149 heroic employees.

Photo ID: At the Grand Rapids, MI Post Office from left, District Manager Don Dombrow, Jr., Michigan 2 District, Letter Carrier Wilma Daley, Postmaster William Rowe, and seated is Kentwood, MI retired Police Officer Robert Streeter.

###