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A Postman Dies: Random violence claims carrier
Tulsa Times ^ | 12/15/01 | World Editorial Writers

Posted on 12/21/2001 8:14:00 PM PST by JohnD9207

Random violence claims carrier

Robert Jenkins, husband and father, did not walk his Tulsa mail route Wednesday thinking that it would be his day to die.

He left for his job, as most of us do, expecting to work his shift and then return home to those he held dear.

Things did not work out that way for Jenkins, 30, the victim of an apparent random act of violence. He will never go home and his 18 month old daughter will not grow up with her father.

The nine-year postal veteran took a bullet in the back. Witnesses claim the bullet came from the gun of Jason Weed, 27. Weed was arrested a few minutes later near the Brookside district, carrying a loaded gun and acting erratically.

Weed was booked into the Tulsa Jail on a first-degree murder complaint.

By all accounts Jenkins was a dedicated worker in a job that can be thankless and physically demanding.

"Everyone liked him," said John Harrison, president of the Tulsa chapter of the National Letter Carriers Association. "He was a good employee."

Around Oklahoma, flags at post offices were at half staff and a fund for the family was set up at the Tulsa Postal Federal Credit Union.

Letter carriers fight bad weather, snarling dogs, heavy traffic and other hazzards on a day-in, day-out basis. And while a postal handler died this fall from inhalation anthrax, no route carrier had been a homicide victim in a couple of years.

The last homicides included a letter carrier who was shot at a Los Angeles Jewish community center. Another was murdered in a carjacking in rural Mississippi. In fiscal 2000, postal inspectors responded to 1,037 postal related assults and credible threats. Their investigations led to 441 arrests.

"The thought of delivering mail and encountering what happened (to Jenkins) Couldn't possibly be anticipated by any letter carrier," one postal supervisor said.

Indeed it could not. In this year, when so much violence has rained down on America, the death of Robert Jenkins marks yet another instance of man's inhumanity to man.


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To: JohnD9207
God bless you and your family - I'm so sorry. My family's prayers are with yours...
161 posted on 12/22/2001 10:41:30 PM PST by dandelion
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To: leemccoy
bttt
162 posted on 12/23/2001 1:52:11 AM PST by f.Christian
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To: editor-surveyor
Thanks for the bump and the article. Our prayers are with the family also.
163 posted on 12/23/2001 2:22:12 AM PST by E.G.C.
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To: JohnD9207; f.Christian
"He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain,
for the old order of things has passed away." (Rev. 21:4)

Heavenly Father, Almighty and Most Merciful God, thank You for the love between this father and son-in-law. Thank You for the times they shared, and the closeness of this whole family through them.

Father, Robert has now been cruelly taken from his family through satan's deceptions and lies to a drug user. I know, Holy Spirit, that Your heart groans for this family and that You are interceding with Almighty God on their behalf. Father God, please send many wonderful blessings to this family for the rest of their days. Strengthen them, supply every need, support and encourage JohnD as he works to bind up this family's wounds as patriarch. Fill and flood every heart in this family with Your unquenchable love and assurance that they will all meet once more with great joy and celebration in Your presence. Father, forbid that satan has any more influence over these precious souls, and encircle them with Your strong angels for constant protection and guidance in the coming months and days. Heal every heart, and prosper them in every way, Dearest Father. In Jesus' name I ask these things, for the support and comfort of this dear family...Amen!

164 posted on 12/23/2001 2:24:02 AM PST by LeeMcCoy
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To: JohnD9207
I shall include you, your daughter, and your granddaughter in my prayers, my FRiend.

FReegards...MUD

165 posted on 12/23/2001 4:04:56 AM PST by Mudboy Slim
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To: editor-surveyor
"The thought of delivering mail and encountering what happened (to Jenkins) Couldn't possibly be anticipated by any letter carrier"

. . . which just reminds us that we "know not the hour . . . "

166 posted on 12/23/2001 4:58:04 AM PST by conservatism_IS_compassion
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To: JohnD9207
JohnD, Caitlynsmom and other members of the Jenkins family, please except my condolences on the death of Robert. It's hard to except the loss of a loved one no matter what time of the year, but at this season, it is particularly hard. My prayers are with you during this season. May GOD bless you and keep you in his everlasting love.
167 posted on 12/23/2001 1:44:21 PM PST by dixie sass
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To: dixie sass
To everyone at Free Republic....thanks for your Love and Support this weekend. I have felt your prayers working in my 'little family's' life. Robert would have been surprised at the outpouring of Love.

I hope you all have a good Christmas, and PLEASE...hug your kid's.

JohnD9207

168 posted on 12/23/2001 3:52:17 PM PST by JohnD9207
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To: caitlynsmom; editor_surveyor; goldilucky
So sorry to hear about this. My deepest sympathy for you and yours. Jeff
169 posted on 12/23/2001 4:25:04 PM PST by ChaseR
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To: JohnD9207
bttt
170 posted on 12/23/2001 4:26:12 PM PST by ChaseR
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To: JohnD9207;caitlynsmom
I am so sorry for the loss of your Hero and beloved family member.
171 posted on 12/23/2001 4:52:19 PM PST by Ragtime Cowgirl
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To: brityank;JohnD9207,Caitlynsmom
Thanks for the ping, Brit.

to John and Caitlynsmom,

You are in our prayers. I am so sorry for your loss. Nevermind the jerk, some people obviously lack decorum and compassion. Most of us grieve for your family.

172 posted on 12/23/2001 9:07:33 PM PST by Helix
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To: ChaseR
My sympathy for the family of this unfortunate tragedy.
173 posted on 12/23/2001 9:53:05 PM PST by goldilucky
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To: JohnD9207
Please accept my condolences for your great loss.
174 posted on 12/24/2001 6:46:06 AM PST by harpseal
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To: gwmoore
No Death Penality for Jason Weed under the federal statutes. Contacting my Senators (and Mr. Bush) about expanding the guidelines. Gives me something to do while my family waits for this piece of crap to go to trial.

The shame of it is, no matter what, nothing will restore our little family. Don't forget to tell your families that you love them.

John

175 posted on 12/24/2001 7:01:07 PM PST by JohnD9207
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To: JohnD9207
My prayers for you and your family. May God hold all of you close and protect your daughter and grandchild.
176 posted on 12/25/2001 4:58:42 PM PST by Bigg Red
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To: Bigg Red
Thanks Red...prayers help. I hope you remember to tell your family that you Love them.

John

177 posted on 12/25/2001 5:28:52 PM PST by JohnD9207
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To: JohnD9207
John, I am so sorry for your loss. May G-d stand by you and bless you in a time of trial. That said, thank you for an important reminder.

Robert Jenkins, husband and father, did not walk his Tulsa mail route Wednesday thinking that it would be his day to die.

Nobody wakes up thinking that this would be their day to die. But it could be. If you're reading this post, today could be your last day.

Are you ready to die?

Shalom.

178 posted on 12/26/2001 6:46:16 AM PST by ArGee
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To: editor-surveyor; caitlynsmom; JohnD9207
Editor-surveyor, thanks for the ping. Caitlynsmom, JohnD9207, I have no words to describe how sick, outraged, angry, and sad I feel upon reading this. My thoughts are with you at this tragic time.
179 posted on 12/26/2001 7:20:38 AM PST by MadEagle
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To: MadEagle
Thanks for the message. I just keep telling folks to remember to tell their kids that they love them. Now with the funeral behind us, the trial will drag out for months. The loser who killed my Son (in-law) is going with a roid rage defense (steroid head). Angry is not the emotion I feel yet, my shock and fear for my daughter and grandaughter. Anger will come later....

Thanks for the words of support.

John

180 posted on 12/26/2001 1:21:19 PM PST by JohnD9207
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