A Postman Dies: Random violence claims carrier

Tulsa Times ^ | 12/15/01 | World Editorial Writers

[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.

[caitlynsmom]

You are so right. The sad part about all our family has been through is that nobody thinks they will die at 30, so they dont plan or prepare. My advice to anyone, especially people with kids is get your affairs in order so that your loved ones dont have to struggle with what you would have wanted. Tell everyone how much you love them because you may not get a second chance. My husband left for work and I never got to say goodbye. I am glad that he knew how much I loved him.

[2Jedismom]

Dear caitlynsmom:

I want to offer my heartfelt condolences to you and your family. I was so sad to hear about this on the news, right before Christmas and my heart broke when I saw the flag at half staff at the post office.

Because of this, I made a point to go out to greet my postlady at my box. Took both my boys with me and waited for her when I saw her coming down the street. We gave her a pumpkin bread and thanked her.

[JohnD9207]

Thank's

John

[caitlynsmom]

Robert is smiling about that one. He always got a thrill when people did nice things for him and his comment always was, "All I do is deliver the mail!" But apparently to his customers he did more than that. He was a bright spot in their day with his smile and courteous ways. Thanks for this great story.

[GOPJ]

My heart goes out to you and yours during this Christmas season. I'm so sorry this has happened. You're in my prayers.

[ArGee]

You are so right. The sad part about all our family has been through is that nobody thinks they will die at 30, so they dont plan or prepare.

G-d bless you, Caitlynsmom. And may the people of G-d stand with you and help you in your time of pain.

To your list of preparations, I would add only one:

Pray today and tell G-d how much you love Him.

Shalom.

[stanz]

This not only makes me sad, it makes me ANGRY. You are right about giving your kid a hug. When we leave our house in the morning, we never know if we are coming back. My sympathies and thoughts go with you.

[caitlynsmom]

You are right. Hug your kids and all of your loved ones and make sure that they all know how much you love them because you may not get another chance. Angry is just not strong enough a word. First I am told that my husband, the love of my life, died laying in the rain covered street, then I am told that the best I can hope for is life in prison. NO DEATH PENALTY! So now I get to work for the rest of my life and pay taxes so that this piece of garbage can have three square meals a day, get his college education, and get to receive mail and visits from his mother. My husbands mother only gets to visit a patch of grass and will never be able to hold her sons hand or give him a kiss. I think there needs to be some better form of justice for my love. If you all want to know what will help, start writing. Congressman, senators, presidents, anyone and everyone who has any kind of power to get these laws changed. They say that he will not get death because he is not a threat to society. What a load of garbage! If you killed once, you are a threat to society. They said he couldnt get death because he didnt have a prior record. Every serial killer that ever lived had no prior record when they killed their first victim. I dont understand their standards, but what they are offering my family is not justice.

[stanz]

They say that he will not get death because he is not a threat to society.

What he has done is the ultimate threat to any society. I don't understand the legal system which appears to protect the perpetrators of crime and never the victim. I wish I could say something profound to you, but words can never express the true inner murmurings of the heart. If it's any comfort, please know that time heals all. This person will never see freedom again and will suffer the loss of his privacy and any friendships or comforts he had. It's no comparison to the loss you are feeling, but someday, you will find peace where he only finds misery.

[JohnD9207]

Thanks Stanz for the kind words to my daughter.

John

[JohnD9207]

A Bump for anyone who can help me. Need to exchange info with anyone familiar with "roid rage", as the defense is planning a steroid induced insanity defense. While this is expected...I have to try and help in any way that I can.

John

[headsonpikes]

So sorry to read of your tragic loss. I recently lost my father; how much more difficult to lose a son!!

Bumping for justice in 2002!

[JohnD9207]

Thanks for the bump

John Danforth

[browardchad]

I'm so sorry for your loss. We have a wonderful postman -- kind and gentle; I'm sure your son-in-law was a wonderful person. My prayers are with you, his wife and his children.

[JohnD9207]

Thanks for your kind words.

John

[JohnD9207]

Thinking about Mrs. Yates and her insanity plea....gee I'm hopeful that her conviction tonight will spread to Oklahoma where Jason Weed's trial will start soon. He is pleading innocent by reason of insanity.

[JohnD9207]

Still waiting for the Justice dept to act. This is killing my family.