Anthony Grabert Nominated for Postal Service’s “Postal Hero” Award for Lifesaving Efforts

SAN DIEGO — Spring Valley Postal clerk and Lemon Grove resident Anthony Grabert was recently nominated for recognition in the U.S. Postal Service’s Postal Heroes program for his lifesaving efforts outside the Spring Valley Post Office.

Grabert was working at Spring Valley Post Office on Austin Drive when a driver accidentally hit the gas pedal instead of the brake. His car became airborne for about 20-feet and crashed upside down near the Post Office’s collection box lane.

“I ran out — so did several others,” recounted Grabert, after a woman yelled that there was a man pinned under the car.

 “I don’t remember hearing anything, no sounds. It was all quiet because I was so focused on the task at hand. Together we got the car flipped over. I asked the letter carriers who came with me for a fire extinguisher because there was fuel or oil leaking.”

The driver and two passengers turned out to be trapped inside the vehicle. They were extracted by firefighters who used the Jaws of Life to remove part of the car’s roof.

Grabert’s supervisor David Erickson said, “Anthony had black and blue bruises all over his upper arms from moving the vehicle but he went right back to work. There’s no doubt in my mind that he helped save those people’s lives.”

The Postal Heroes program was created by Postmaster General John Potter to recognize the hundreds of Postal Service employees who engage in lifesaving activities each and every year. Nominees receive a personal letter of thanks from the Postmaster General and recognition from the Postal District Manager.