Link is looking back at the year in “Heroes’ Corner” with a countdown of the 10 most-viewed articles.
Coming in at No. 3 is “Troubled teen,” the story of Marc Augustus.
The letter carrier was making deliveries on a fall day at a housing complex in Geneva, NY, when a 13-year-old boy approached him and asked him to call the police.
“Why?” Augustus asked.
“Because I don’t want to live anymore,” the teen replied.
The USPS employee immediately called 911, calmed the boy, gave him a coat to wear and sheltered him in the postal vehicle until emergency responders arrived.
While they waited, Augustus observed apparent self-inflicted injuries on the teen’s arm, and he spoke to other youths on the scene who had also earlier heard the boy talking about harming himself.
“Marc was in the right place at the right time,” said Geneva Postmaster Vernon Ficcaglia. “He saved this boy’s life by taking immediate action.”
If you know of heroic colleagues like Augustus, the Postal Service wants to know about them, too.
Employees recognized through the Postmaster General Heroes’ Program must be nominated for the award. Corporate Communications reviews nominations for accuracy, then sends them to the Postal Inspection Service and the Office of Inspector General for approval.
Following approval, each nominee receives a commendation letter from Postmaster General Louis DeJoy.
Honorees are also featured in Link’s “Heroes’ Corner” column.
To nominate an employee, complete PS Form 400, Corporate Communications PMG Hero Nomination, and email it to PMG_HeroNominations@usps.gov.