Right Place Right Time
It was just an ordinary day on September 2, 2020, for Massapequa Letter Carrier, Joseph Kerrigan as he was just at the beginning of his route on the first loop when he noticed his customer waving his cane and tapping the curtains and window attempting to get someone’s attention. Unfortunately, none on the neighbors noticed but luckily Joe noticed him and went towards the house. The customer was yelling he was on the floor all night and was unable to get up. The customer continued to cry for help. Without hesitation, Joe jumped into action to rescue the customer. As Joe was talking to the customer the neighbors heard him and he instructed them to dial 911 for assistance. At first, he attempted to gain entrance into the home by the front door; however, it was locked. He then tried to find an open window, but that they were all locked as well. The customer instructed Joe to break the window in the back to gain entrance into the home. Joe raced into the backyard to get into the house through the backdoor. Again, it was locked, but Joe did not give up. Concerned for the safety of the customer on his route he used his scanner to break the window on the door to unlock the door.
However, after breaking the window he noticed the door had not one lock but two locks one was an inside lock and an outside lock. Joe spotted the keys on the back table and got a rake to get the keys. He was able to get the keys and gain entrance into the home. At that point the paramedics and police arrived and entered the home. The customer was treated by the paramedics and he recovered from the ordeal. The customer and his family credit Joe with saving the customer’s life. The customer’s family feared that had Joe not intervened with his quick thinking that the customer could have easily perished as the customer lives alone and is in his 90’s.
Joe was so focused on helping the customer he didn’t notice that he injured his hand when he smashed the glass with his scanner. Joe allowed the paramedics to treat his hand and once the customer was in their care didn’t hesitate to resume delivering his route. Unfortunately, after a couple of relays he had to go back to the office as the wound was starting to bleed again. He wound up going to urgent care and was treated; however, eventually had to have surgery due to a small fragment of glass was deep inside his hand. This 5 year veteran wasn’t concerned about his injury but felt bad that his fellow coworkers had to complete his route to ensure all of the mail was delivered.
Normally when we think of a hero, we think of police officers, firemen, doctors, and other first responders. However, on many occasions, it is the Letter Carrier who are the heroes. Thousands of carriers throughout the country have helped save lives as we are always the eyes and ears of the neighborhood. That is why the Letter Carrier craft has an over 80% approval rating as a government agency.
On July 20, 2021, I had the opportunity to present Joe with an award from the National Union on behalf of President Fred Rolando for his heroism. When I presented the award to Joe in front of his coworkers Joe stated he’s not a hero and did not do anything any of his fellow coworkers would not have done. For Joe he believed he was at the right place at the right time However, Joe’s customer and his neighbors believe otherwise and are grateful for their mail carrier.
Charlie Smith presents Joe Kerrigan of Massapequa an Award for rescuing a customer on his route.
