A U.S. Postal Service letter carrier has died while on duty in Dallas, according to testimony before Congress.
National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC) President Brian L. Renfroe spoke before the House Subcommittee on Government Operations on June 24, announcing that Jacob Taylor, a member of Lone Star Branch 132, “died on the job last week” amid extreme heat conditions.
Renfroe highlighted Taylor’s death as part of a growing pattern of heat-related risks faced by letter carriers, urging lawmakers to implement stronger protections. “If Congress wants to help the Postal Service,” he told committee members, “they must do everything possible to protect letter carriers and all postal employees.”
This tragedy echoes a similar incident in June 2023, when Dallas letter carrier Eugene Gates Jr., 66, collapsed and died on his route from a combination of heat and cardiovascular stress—his body temperature was recorded at over 104°F, and USPS was fined more than $15,600 by OSHA for insufficient protective measures
Union pushes for action
Renfroe’s testimony also served as a strong push for new safety standards. He emphasized the need for a comprehensive heat illness prevention program to become standard USPS procedure, as temperatures continue climbing and routes become more grueling.
“This isn’t just about finances,” Renfroe pleaded. “It’s about the safety and well‑being of the people who deliver our mail and packages.”
Bottom line: This death is a stark reminder that Dallas letter carriers are risking their lives in extreme conditions. Taylor’s family, colleagues, and community are still waiting for more answers—but his death has already sparked urgent calls for meaningful change.