Dallas Letter Carrier Jacob Taylor Dies While on Duty; Union Renews Heat Safety Concerns
DALLAS, TX — June 30, 2025
The United States Postal Service and the broader Dallas community are mourning the sudden death of Jacob Taylor, a 51-year-old veteran letter carrier who collapsed and later died while delivering mail in the city’s Medical District on Saturday.
Taylor, who had served with the Postal Service for nearly three decades, was filling in for a colleague when he suddenly collapsed on his route during the late-morning hours. Paramedics rushed him to a local hospital, where he was later pronounced dead.
His official cause of death remains under investigation, with autopsy results still pending. However, the National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC) has expressed concern that the incident may be heat-related, echoing the tragic circumstances surrounding the death of another Dallas letter carrier, Eugene Gates Jr., in 2023.
Heat a Possible Factor in Taylor’s Death
According to the National Weather Service, temperatures in Dallas climbed to 94 degrees on Saturday, with humidity pushing the heat index even higher. While authorities have not confirmed heat as a cause, union leaders say the similarities to past incidents are deeply troubling.
“This is a heartbreaking loss for our postal family,” said NALC President Brian Renfroe during a congressional hearing on Tuesday. “While the circumstances of his death are still under review, it serves as yet another reminder of the dangers letter carriers face—from violent crime to extreme heat, all while delivering vital services to our communities.”
Community and Coworkers Mourn a Dedicated Public Servant
Taylor, affectionately known as “JT” by some of his coworkers, had worked for the USPS for 28 years. Though union representative Kimetra Lewis of NALC Branch 132 did not know him personally, she had the difficult responsibility of notifying his station of his death.
“He was filling in for someone that day,” Lewis said. “When tragedies happen, you don’t expect them to repeat themselves. Everyone remembers Eugene. Now, we’re reliving that pain again.”
Taylor’s family has asked for privacy but shared a few photographs to honor his life. A funeral service is expected later this week.
The Shadow of Eugene Gates’ Death
Taylor’s death draws painful parallels to that of Eugene Gates Jr., a 66-year-old mail carrier who died in June 2023 while working his route in the Lakewood neighborhood during one of the hottest days of the year. His autopsy cited heat and underlying heart disease as the causes of death.
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) fined the USPS following Gates’ death, citing a failure to protect employees from excessive heat exposure. That case is currently under appeal and still winding its way through the legal system.
“This has reopened wounds for many of us,” Lewis said. “I became friends with Eugene’s widow. When I heard about JT, my heart broke for her all over again.”
Union Calls for Reforms Amid Rising Temperatures
As climate patterns shift and temperatures rise across Texas, labor leaders are again calling on the USPS to revise delivery schedules—allowing letter carriers to begin earlier in the morning and avoid the most dangerous hours of heat.
“We’ve had the warnings,” said Renfroe. “We’ve had the tragedies. Now, we need action.”
A USPS spokesperson issued a brief statement Monday: “This incident remains under investigation by the Postal Service, and we do not have further comment at this time.”
A Dangerous Summer Ahead
With more triple-digit heat expected in the coming weeks, unions are pressing for urgent changes, both at the national level and in local post offices. The National Weather Service has issued multiple heat advisories across North Texas, warning of dangerous conditions for anyone working outdoors.
For those who knew Jacob Taylor, this is not just a policy issue—it’s personal.
“He showed up for nearly 30 years to serve his city,” said Lewis. “He deserved better. We all do.”