Dear Editor,
On Monday, Aug. 26, the Melrose Post Office will be renamed in honor of Pamela Jane Rock. Pam was a letter carrier who died after being attacked by dogs while delivering mail in Interlachen in 2022.
Although she had been a letter carrier for about only seven months at the time of her death, she quickly became known among her colleagues as a kindhearted woman who was passionate about serving the public.
Pam’s death was an avoidable tragedy.
Postal Service officials report that in 2023, over 5,800 letter carriers experienced dog bites or dog attacks.
Dog attacks and bites are 100 percent preventable when dog owners remain vigilant and properly restrain their dogs.
To ensure mail carriers’ safety, dog owners must securely lock their dog in another room until a delivery exchange is done. If a dog is outside, the dog must be leashed away from the mailbox.
When a carrier feels unsafe, mail service could be interrupted, not only for the dog owner, but for the entire neighborhood. When mail service is interrupted, mail must be picked up at the post office. Service will not be restored until the dog is properly restrained.
With your help, we can keep our carriers, your neighbors and your dogs safe. Together, we can help make sure something like this never happens again.
The post office dedication ceremony will be at the Melrose Post Office at 859 N. State Road 21 in Melrose, FL 32666. The event is free and open to the public. We hope you’ll join us to celebrate Pamela Rock and her legacy.
Sincerely,
Twyla Green
Melrose, FL Postmaster
Stephanie Peters
Interlachen, FL Postmaster
