LOUISVILLE, Ky. — It’s been said the postal service stops for no storm, no obstacle. But for a few minutes one morning in late May, work at a downtown Louisville office ceased.
Rick Evans has traveled roughly 2 million miles delivering mail to Louisville families and businesses. It's a career spanning 45 years on the road. And he has traversed the city's streets each time without causing an accident.
That morning in May, with a few dozen co-workers standing around him, Evans was recognized for his feat.
"I've been in the post office 26 years. This is the first one that I’ve been involved in," Louisville's acting postmaster Chris Carroll said about the award handed to Evans.
Regional managers said they had to make the trip. They, too, had never seen anyone achieve a spotless career that long.
Evans gave a quick smile and took the time to thank his colleagues and bosses, but he did not ask for attention. The ceremony was called at the beginning of his shift. He was on the clock and quickly walked to his work station once the crowd dispersed, determined to make up for the lost time.
"You’re blessed to make friends," he said as he sorted his stack of mail. "I mean, you have concern for the people, that they receive the things that they want to receive, and you take it seriously when they don’t."
A true company man, Evans' corporate managers who made the trip did not hesitate to heap praise on him. But those who work close to him seem to like having him around as well.
"He does the right thing and that makes a difference to everybody," said James Mitchell, who works three stations over from Evans.
Audrey Harrod said she has known Evans since she began her career with USPS 16 years prior.
"We’re just lucky to have people like Rick here and hopefully lots of us get to stick around that long, you know, and not have accidents," Harrod said laughing.
Carroll confirmed his carriers get to choose their routes based on seniority. With 45 years under Evans' belt, where does Louisville’s safest mail carrier choose to work: ZIP code 40202 - some of the busiest streets and businesses in downtown Louisville. Construction seems constant. The streets are narrow as cars park at meters.
Yet through it all, Evans maintains a perfect record.
The same thing that’s kept him a model employee, he said, can make us better people.
"If we can be in the moment and share the eye contact, share the moment with the people, and make decisions in the moment, we’ll all be safe," he smiled while sorting envelopes into a wall of mailboxes at a highrise. "We’ll all have better relationships. Those are the things that count."
Evans pointed out that his driving history is clear of at-fault accidents. He said he had been T-boned by a car a few years ago, but it was not his fault.
The streak lives on.