10/16/26 – NALC strongly condemns the violent attack on a Detroit letter carrier who was assaulted and injured by a group of men while delivering the mail on Oct. 7. The carrier was punched, kicked, and a firearm was discharged during the assault causing a serious head laceration. The incident, which has resulted in federal charges against four men, is another disturbing example of the growing violence facing letter carriers as they carry out their duties in communities across the country. Since 2022, five letter carriers have tragically been murdered on the job.
“Letter carriers should not have to fear for their safety while doing their job. This latest attack is alarming and unacceptable. Our members serve Americans nationwide helping communities stay connected by delivering vital documents, medications, and other important packages. Letter carriers should be able to do their work without the threat of danger or being subjected to violence. We stand with our injured brother and call for accountability for this terrible crime,” NALC President Brian L. Renfroe said.
The need for stronger and more consistent sentencing was highlighted this week when a federal judge sentenced Kevin McCaa to 38 years in prison for the 2022 murder of Milwaukee, WI Branch 2 letter carrier Aundre Cross, who was murdered while serving his community. The court determined that Cross was targeted and the crime was premeditated.
“Thirty-eight years is not enough for the premeditated murder of a letter carrier who was simply doing his job,” Renfroe said. “Brother Cross should be alive today. His murder spurred our fight for bipartisan Protect Our Letter Carriers Act (POLCA), and this case is another reminder of why Congress must act. Perpetrators of crimes against letter carriers do not face sufficiently strong and consistent consequences. There must be certainty and uniformity in how these crimes are prosecuted. Sentencing must reflect the severity of these crimes so that anyone who targets a letter carrier knows that the consequences will be severe.”
Over the last several years, there has been a concerning trend in the rise of assaults. NALC has been on the forefront of fighting for the passage of POLCA, which includes provisions to strengthen prosecution and standardize sentencing guidelines for crimes against letter carriers.
“Every day, letter carriers are committed public servants who show up in all kinds of conditions to deliver for their communities. We must do more to protect them,” Renfroe added. “They are the backbone and heartbeat of the Postal Service. Across the country, the District of Columbia, and U.S. territories, 200,000 city letter carriers deliver 376 million pieces of mail to nearly 169 million delivery points, supporting a $1.92 trillion mailing industry. Yet, criminals are attacking letter carriers and, in a majority of cases, the perpetrators have not been held accountable. We demand that Congress prioritize and ensure the safety of all postal workers.”
NALC will continue advocating for stronger protections, effective preventive measures, and stringent accountability including maximum sentences for those who target letter carriers.
