1986 Edmond Post Office Massacre

On August 20, 1986, 44 year old Patrick Sherrill, a part-time letter carrier with a history of conflict and disciplinary problems at work, entered the Edmond post office in Edmond Oklahoma just before the start of the workday. Armed with two .45 caliber handguns and extra ammunition, he began shooting his coworkers methodically, walking through the building and targeting colleagues in a calculated fashion. The rampage lasted about 15 minutes. When police entered the building, they found Sherrill dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound in a supervisor’s office. Patrick Henry Sherrill shot and killed 14 co-workers before taking his own life. Sherrill was viewed as a loner with poor social interaction. He was known for erratic behavior, paranoid tendencies, and a volatile temper and received a disciplinary warning the day before the shooting.

The Edmond Post Office Massacre was one of the deadliest workplace shootings in U.S. history at the time and was a tragic precursor to the term “going postal”—used to describe sudden, extreme workplace violence, especially within the U.S. Postal Service.

Victims:

Patricia A. Chambers, 41. A longtime postal worker known for her cheerful personality

Judy Stephens Denney, age 41. A supervisor at the post office. She among the first to be shot.

Patricia Gabbard, age 47. A letter carrier who was a dedicated employee with years of service.

Kenneth W. Morey, age 50. A veteran postal worker who was just starting his shift.

Jerry Pyle, age 51. A rural mail carrier known for his sense of humor.

Paul Michael Rockne, age 33. A letter carrier who was described as friendly and reliable.

Thomas Wade Shader, age 31. He was recently hired and a father of young children.

Leroy Phillips, age 42. Leroy was close to retirement and beloved by coworkers.

Paul Harold "Hal" Bland, age 62. Paul was the oldest victim and was planning to retire soon.

Richard Esser Jr., age 38. A supervisor who had reprimanded Sherrill the day before. He is believed to be a primary target.

Betty Jarred, age 34. Administrative clerk known for her professionalism.

Gibson Woodall, age 54. A letter carrier who had worked at the post office for many years.

Billy Miller, age 30. One of the younger employees that was friendly and well-liked.

Harold M. "Mike" Swartz, age 52. A postal worker with decades of service and was preparing for his morning delivery.