The wife of a United States Postal Service (USPS) worker who died this week spoke out regarding the incident as she awaits the results of her husband’s autopsy.
Eugene Gates, 66, collapsed while working his delivery route on Tuesday, one of the hottest days in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex in more than 40 years, as The Dallas Express reported. Tuesday’s heat index reached 115 degrees, marking the highest temperature since 1980.
His cause of death is currently unknown pending autopsy results, but this week’s “oppressive heat” is suspected to have played a role.
Eugene’s wife, Carla Gates, told FOX 4 News her husband was dedicated to the job he loved.
“When I say dedicated, my husband would get up at 3:30 a.m., eat his breakfast, and get to work two hours early. He would sit in his car and wait until his shift started,” she said, according to FOX 4 News. “He has always done that because he loved what he did.”
The National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC) said Gates worked for the USPS for 36 years and was a member of Lone Star Branch 132 in Dallas. In a statement regarding Gates’ death, the NALC said he was a beloved member.
“On behalf of NALC, I send my deepest sympathies to Brother Gates’s family, friends, and colleagues,” said President Brian L. Renfroe. “Eugene was a dedicated letter carrier with a long and successful Postal Service career. He will be greatly missed by everyone, particularly his fellow branch members and customers.”
Carla is devastated and searching for answers.
“I don’t wish this on anyone. A mother, a father, a son, a wife — anyone,” she told WFAA. “To have to go to a hospital and be told your husband died in the line of duty — I don’t want that to happen to anyone.”
Eugene Gates was in good shape and always came to work prepared to face the summer heat, his wife said.
“[He had] his regular medical appointments. He went on a regular basis. My god, he walks eight miles a day. Eight miles a day. Mail to 400 homes,” Carla told FOX 4 News. “For someone to walk eight miles a day. I did this many steps. I did this many steps. He did it for 36-38 years. He knew how to prepare for the weather.”
Carla argued postal workers should not work under such extreme conditions.
“My husband was trying to complete his assignment. That was his job… and the heat got to him,” she told WFAA. “No one should have been outside working like that when the heat index is that high. No one. Deliver the mail earlier, or later, or wait.”
As Carla continues to await autopsy results, she expressed frustration over what appeared to be an avoidable situation.
“Am I mad at the postal service? Yes. Am I angry? Yes,” she told WFAA. “The mail will still be there, but my husband won’t.”
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