A U.S. Postal Service letter carrier died while on duty amid extreme heat conditions in Dallas, a labor union leader told Congress members on Tuesday.
National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC) President Brian L. Renfroe identified Jacob Taylor, 51, a 28-year USPS veteran and Lone Star Branch 132 member, as the victim. The letter carrier’s death has sparked urgent calls for stronger protections for postal workers.
“Jacob Taylor died on the job last week,” Renfroe told the House subcommittee on Government Operations. “If Congress wants to help the Postal Service, they must do everything possible to protect letter carriers and all postal employees.”
He emphasized the need for a comprehensive heat illness prevention program, stating, “This isn’t just about finances. It’s about the safety and well-being of the people who deliver our mail and packages.”
Dallas police responded to a call about an unconscious person in the 4900 block of Bengal Street around 5 p.m. on Saturday, June 21. They found Dallas Fire-Rescue already on the scene providing treatment. A spokesperson said CPR was performed, but the patient was pronounced dead at a local hospital. The Dallas County Medical Examiner’s report verified that Jacob Taylor was pronounced dead at Parkland shortly after 5:30 p.m., with the cause of death pending.
The USPS and Dallas police are investigating the incident, but no further details were provided.
Taylor’s death follows a similar tragedy in June 2023, when Dallas letter carrier Eugene Gates Jr., 66, died from heat and cardiovascular stress while delivering mail in Lakewood, with a body temperature exceeding 104°F. OSHA fined the USPS over $15,600 for inadequate protective measures.