Smoke signal

Rural Carrier Juan Ocasio was delivering mail recently in New Port Richey, FL, when he spotted smoke rising from behind a customer’s residence.

Ocasio checked the rear of the home and saw a tree, shed and the back of the residence enveloped in flames.

As a neighbor called 911, Ocasio ran to the home’s front door and pounded on it to alert the occupants. A mother came to the door with her children — including two infants — unaware of the blaze.

The Postal Service employee led all the residents to safety.

The family was grateful for Ocasio’s actions and thanked him with handwritten notes.

One of the younger children wrote to Ocasio: “I love you. Thank you for saving my family.”


Employees featured in “Heroes’ Corner” also receive letters of commendation through the Postmaster General Heroes’ Program. The nomination form is available on Blue.