Son Credits Norwich Carrier With Saving Dad's Life



Walter Fleming

On Saturday July 7, 2012, with temperatures in the 90s and oppressive humidity, Walter Fleming was delivering his park and loop route in Norwich CT.

When he arrived at a customer's home on Washington Street, he

noticed that the mail had not been picked up the previous day.

The 92 year old resident of Norwich, a retired newspaper delivery man, had asked Walter to please check on him if he failed to pick up his mail every day.

Walter, remembering this, went to the door of his apartment in this multi-family dwelling. When the customer didn't answer, Walter checked the door which was unlocked. He entered and found his customer curled on the floor in the fetal position, cold to the touch and barely alive. Walter immediately called 911 and waited for the first responders to get to the scene.



During the rest of the day he attempted to get in contact with the landlord to obtain a phone number for the customer's son. He accomplished this and then notified the son that his father had been rushed to Backus Hospital.

It was the son, not Walter that alerted USPS management of Walter's deed. He insists that had it not been for Walter being alert to his customers his father would not be alive today.

Walter's route runs across from the hospital, and on Monday during his lunch, Walter stopped in to see his customer and was elated to see his improvement. Walter is a humble hero, and an asset to the Norwich Post Office.