San Antonio, TX, Letter Carrier Ernest Fuentes was delivering mail recently when a pickup truck careened off a nearby highway and flipped several times until it landed upside down.
The driver was conscious, but he could not get out of the vehicle.
Fuentes, who has served in the military, jumped into action. He called 9-1-1 and then tried to open the vehicle’s passenger door. A passerby teetered the truck, allowing Fuentes to pry open the door and pull the driver out.
The driver tried to walk but stumbled, so Fuentes helped the man sit down on the truck’s toolbox. The Postal Service™ employee then used a bottle of water to remove broken glass from the man’s hands, arms, and head. Fuentes informed the 9-1-1 dispatcher of his actions while assisting the driver. When the paramedics arrived, Fuentes left the scene to continue his route.
“He moved on like it was all in a day’s work,” said customer service supervisor Joshua Salido. “Ernest displayed bravery and represented the Postal Service well.”
Fuentes is one of several thousand USPS® employees who have been recognized through the Postmaster General (PMG) Heroes’ Program. These men and women have gone 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 reporting crimes leading to arrests.
The 22-year-old program is based on a tried-and-true concept: Postal Service employes act as the eyes and ears of their communities. They come to know the habits and routines of their customers and are often first to notify first responders or help render aid in emergency situations.
To be considered for the PMG Hero Award, an employee must be nominated first. Corporate Communications reviews nominations for accuracy, then sends them to the Postal Inspection Service and the USPS Office of Inspector General for approval.
Honorees are also featured in the “Heroes” column on the Postal Service’s daily employee news website, Link. The column has become a popular mainstay of the site, receiving a national award in 2020 for excellence in employee communications. To relive more than two decades of heroism, check out the “Heroes” archive at news.usps.com/column/heroes.
To nominate an employee, complete PS Form 400, Corporate Communications PMG Hero Nomination, and email it to PMG_HeroNominations@usps.gov. The nomination form is available on Blue at blue.usps.gov/formmgmt/forms/LiveCycle/psform400_052012_lc.pdf.
— Employee Communications and Content Management,
Corporate Communications, 6-25-26
