Postal Customer Service Supervisor Killed, Letter Carrier in Custody
“A Baker City, Oregon, customer service supervisor, Lori Hayes-Kotter, 49, was shot and killed yesterday afternoon in the Post Office parking lot. The Inspection Service reports that local police arrested a Baker City letter carrier at the scene and have taken him into custody.
“Our heartfelt prayers and condolences go out to the family of the victim and to our employees who have suffered through this tragic incident,” said PMG Jack Potter. “I ask that you keep them in your thoughts.”
Potter, who is attending the National Postal Forum, asked at a postal executive meeting that a moment of silence be observed in Hayes-Kotter’s memory.
The Postmaster General asked Deputy PMG Pat Donahoe to fly to Baker City. Donahoe is enroute now and will meet with employees and offer condolences to the victim’s family on his arrival. Postal Inspectors and Employee Assistance Program (EAP) counselors are on the scene. The EAP has implemented its crisis response plan. Baker City is about 175 miles east of Portland, OR.” USPS News Link
Letter Carrier also attempted to kill Postmaster - Grant Gallaher, 41, was scheduled to be arraigned in Baker County Circuit Court today on charges of intentional murder and attempted aggravated murder, said District Attorney Matt Shirtcliff. Gallaher is accused of killing Lori Leigh Hayes-Kotter, 49, of North Powder and attempting to kill Michael Wayne McGuire, Baker City postmaster, Shirtcliff said. Baker City Herald
April 6th, 2006 at 7:05 pm
check this website. you will know why shootings occur in the Postal Service!!!!
April 6th, 2006 at 7:07 pm
check this website stmil.allhyper.com You will know why shootings occur in the Postal Service!!!!
April 7th, 2006 at 3:22 pm
IDIOT THAT SAYS THAT SHOULD BE FIRED, THERE NEVER IS A REASON FOR VIOLENCE.
October 18th, 2006 at 12:07 pm
When will Postal Management take responsiblity for this type of thing! You almost have to work for the Postal Service to understand. Postal supervision is of a very poor quality - it’s the style of supervision. Only a few can maintain a professional standard.
December 13th, 2006 at 9:14 pm
Working for the postal service for over 20 years has taught me alot. One communication is a lost art at all facilities. Two - management is not trained on how to deal with employees in any circumstance, they are given pamplets as there has been violence in the workforce. Middle management (which supervisors are) are pushed to meet goals and standards set for them that are not set for the floor and some are conflicted on how to perform what is necessary for them to accomplish their given goals. Employees are continually harrassed and bullied to do as the supervisor wishes even though their standards do not reflect that of the workers. Overtime is not given with discretion for some it is shoved down your throats and for those that wish it they don’t get it at all (retribution). Has the Inspection Service asked or reviewed any documentation that may show contributing factors as to why this occurred? For every incident that has occurred within the Postal Service there is a reason you just have to search for it if it wasn’t left prior.
February 6th, 2007 at 7:36 am
I have read the comments and the majority of those are from Postal Employees. I have read where management is to blame for the shooting, but can you actually say that managment was to blame? When you deal with some individuals and you are dealing with multiple personalities its hard to cater to just one. There are some bad supervisors and there are some bad employees. Lets not put everything on management.
December 4th, 2007 at 10:09 am
I was a regular city carrier in one of the towns here in northern NJ for almost two years. I resigned voluntarily and doing college work at present. All I can say and basing it on my experiences, it was a horrifying place to work.
November 13th, 2008 at 1:42 pm
Good for you. This is, by far, the worst place I have ever worked. I have never been so berated, threatened, screamed at and harrassed in my entire life.
As soon as I can I’m going back to school to get the hell out of here. Any individual with the slightest amount of wit, logic and hindsight will know when it’s time to go - unless you feel or think that you can’t.
God forbid there is another incident like than this.
It’s not to say that postal management is to blame for all incidents but they endorse the ill themed behavior managers often encourage their supervisors to promote.
There are others. Indeed, I know a few good supervisors who are passionate and professional and treat their people right, but they are far and between.
November 13th, 2008 at 1:50 pm
The USPS should also personalize efforts to reach out to the families of the victims. Even years later. Unless, you are police or fire and rescue or military, losing your life (in any event) for a job is unsettling and disturbing to say the least.
God speed.