In the early morning hours of August 20, 1986, a tragedy unfolded in the quiet city of Edmond, Oklahoma, forever marking it in the annals of American history. Richard Esser, a 38-year-old male supervisor at the United States Post Office, was beginning his workday, unaware of the horrific events that were about to transpire. The day before, he and another supervisor had reprimanded a part-time letter carrier, Patrick Sherrill, for his poor job performance.
This disciplinary action would prove to have catastrophic consequences.
Shortly after 7:00 a.m., Sherrill, armed with three pistols and a bag full of ammunition, entered the post office and locked the doors behind him. His first target was Richard Esser, whom he shot and killed. Sherrill then began a methodical and terrifying rampage through the facility, targeting his co-workers. For approximately 15 minutes, the post office became a scene of unimaginable horror as Sherrill moved through the building, shooting at anyone he encountered.
The chaos and violence claimed the lives of fourteen postal workers, including Richard Esser, and left six others wounded. The perpetrator, Patrick Sherrill, a man described by some as a loner and by others as an expert marksman, took his own life with a gunshot to the head as law enforcement arrived at the scene. Because the suspect died by suicide, no arrests were made in connection with the massacre. The incident, which stemmed from a workplace grievance, left a lasting scar on the community of Edmond and brought national attention to the issue of workplace violence.
