GRAIN VALLEY, MO – Clerk Lisa Oyler was working the retail counter at the Grain Valley Post Office on Saturday, April 13, when Patrice Thompson walked into the lobby. Oyler noticed Thompson’s breathing became difficult and offered her a place to sit and rest, as local authorities were contacted.

The emergency personnel arrived and as they were transporting Thompson to the hospital, she went into respiratory failure and was placed into the ICU unit, as she was diagnosed with double pneumonia. Thompson credits Oyler for her swift interaction that most likely saved her life.

Mid America District Manager John Morgan presented Oyler with a letter of commendation personally signed by Postmaster General Megan J. Brennan with a grateful Thompson by her side.

“I couldn’t be more proud of Lisa’s quick response to a life-threatening situation,” said Morgan. “The Postal Service is proud of its dedicated employees, who provide outstanding service to their customers and do much more than sell stamps and deliver the mail in their communities.”

Each year, postal employees go beyond the call of duty, some even risking their own safety to save the lives of the customers they serve. In Fiscal Year 2018, the Postal Service recognized 243 heroic employees.

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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