The Edmond post office shooting was a mass shooting that occurred in Edmond, Oklahoma, on August 20, 1986. In less than fifteen minutes, 44 year-old postal worker Patrick Sherrill pursued and shot several coworkers, killing 14 and injuring another six, before committing suicide. It is currently deadliest workplace shooting in U.S. history, as well as the deadliest shooting by a lone gunman in the state of Oklahoma.
Sherrill was a relief carrier, meaning he was often required to work alternate routes on different days, a position dictated by his rank on the seniority list. His lack of a permanently assigned route meant that he lacked the same job stability as other USPS workers. Opinions vary concerning his job performance. Some reports portray him as an erratic, irritable worker; others claim he performed well and was being badgered by management. In any case, on the afternoon of August 19, 1986, supervisors Esser and Bland reprimanded Sherrill for his behavior.[4]
Shooting
Shortly after 7:00 a.m. on August 20, 1986, Patrick Sherrill killed Richard Esser, Jr., one of two supervisors who had verbally disciplined him the previous day. Sherrill then sought out Bill Bland, another supervisor who had reprimanded him. However, Bland had overslept that morning and arrived an hour late to work, by which time the shootings were already over. Not finding Bland, Sherrill then killed co-worker Paul Michael Rockne.
Around 100 workers occupied the small facility at the time of the attack. Fourteen people died at the scene, and six others received wounds requiring hospitalization. The day's violence ended when Sherrill shot himself in the forehead.[1]
Victims
Fourteen people were killed in the shooting, while six others were injured. The victims were:[1]
Killed
Patricia Ann Chambers, 41, part-time clerk
Judy Stephens Denney, 41, part-time clerk
Richard C. Esser Jr., 38, supervisor
Patricia A. Gabbard, 47, clerk
Jonna Ruth Gragert, 30, clerk
Patty Jean Husband, 48, supervisor
Betty Ann Jarred, 34, clerk
William F. Miller, 30, rural carrier
Kenneth W. Morey, 49, rural carrier
Leroy Orrin Phillips, 42, rural carrier
Jerry Ralph Pyle, 51, rural carrier
Paul Michael Rockne, 33, letter carrier
Thomas Wade Shader Jr., 31, part-time clerk
Patti Lou Welch, 27, clerk
Injured
William Nimmo
Gene Bray
Michael H. Bigler
Steve Vick
Judy Walker
Joyce Ingram
Memorial
Memorial to the 1986 post office incident in Edmond, Oklahoma
The Yellow Ribbon Memorial is a commemorative outdoor structure dedicated to the victims of the Edmond, Oklahoma post office shooting. Dedicated on May 29, 1989, it is located outside the post office's main entry to the south. The memorial contains the bronze statue of a man and a woman standing atop the fountain's center base and holding the ribbon of which the bow is attached to the base. To represent the fourteen victims killed in the shooting, the fountain contains fourteen water jets and a plaque on the front of the base listing their names.[5]
The memorial was built by the Edmond community and the United States Postal Services;[6] the statue was created by sculptor Richard Muno (1939–2015).[6][7] Community members have gathered at the memorial to commemorate the victims, especially on the 25th (2011)[8] and 30th (2016)[9] anniversaries.
The memorial was surveyed in May 1996 as "well maintained", categorized by the Smithsonian American Art Museum.[5] Over the years, the memorial slowly deteriorated with apparent "cracks in the concrete".[10][11] Throughout the early 2010s, operations of the fountain were halted for, according to USPS, "a damaged water supply line".[10] As of 2016, the fountain still operates seasonally.[9][11]
^ abcdJustus, Dale (8 August 2011). Fifteen Minutes of Terror: Massacre at the Edmond Oklahoma Post Office. iUniverse, Incorporated. p. 34. ISBN978-1462041985.
^Ellis, Randy (22 August 1986). "Authorities Piece Together Tragedy Gunman at Edmond Post Office Knew Where to Shoot People". The Oklahoman. Retrieved 22 February 2020.
^Staff (September 4, 1994). . Chicago Sun Times. Archived from the original on June 29, 2014. Retrieved 22 May 2014. – via HighBeam Research(subscription required)
^Staff (May 1, 2005). . The Journal of Employee Assistance. Archived from the original on June 29, 2014. Retrieved 22 May 2014. – via HighBeam Research(subscription required)
^ ab"The Yellow Ribbon, (sculpture)". Art Inventories Catalog. Smithsonian American Art Museum. Retrieved November 24, 2016. IAS OK000160.
^ abEverett, Dianna (2009). "Edmond Post Office Massacre". The Encyclopedia of Oklahoma History and Culture. Oklahoma Historical Society. Retrieved November 24, 2016.
^Funeral of Richard Carl Muno (July 2, 1939 – July 28, 2015). Matthews Funeral Home and Cremation Service. Retrieved November 24, 2016.
^"Saturday Marks 25th Anniversary Of Edmond Post Office Massacre". News9.com. August 20, 2011. Retrieved November 25, 2016.
^ abHermes, Grant (August 20, 2016). "Residents Gather For 30th Anniversary Of Edmond Post Office Massacre". News9.com. Retrieved November 25, 2016.
^ abTorp, Karl (August 13, 2012). "Memorial Fountain For Edmond Post Office Shooting Victims Runs Dry". News9.com. Retrieved November 25, 2016.
^ abHermes, Grant (September 21, 2016). "Going Postal: How Safe Are We At Work?". News9.com. Retrieved November 25, 2016.
^Morgan, Rhett (August 20, 2006). . Tulsa World. Archived from the original on June 29, 2014. Retrieved 25 May 2014. – via HighBeam Research(subscription required)
^Hanley, Robert (October 11, 1991). "4 Slain in 2 New Jersey Attacks And Former Postal Clerk Is Held". The New York Times.
^"A former postal worker commits mass murder". The History Channel website. 2010. Retrieved 2010-11-11.
^Levin, Doron P. (November 15, 1991). "Ex-Postal Worker Kills 3 and Wounds 6 in Michigan". The New York Times. Retrieved 2008-02-26.
^Gregory K. Moffatt, Blind-Sided: Homicide Where It Is Least Expected, at 37 (2000).
^"Death in the Post Office: The Overview; Former Montclair Postal Worker Charged With Killings in Robbery". The New York Times. March 23, 1995.
^Holusha, John; Archibold, Randal C. (2006-02-01). "Ex-Employee Kills 6 Others and Herself at California Postal Plant". The New York Times. Retrieved January 11, 2023.
edmond, post, office, shooting, mass, shooting, that, occurred, edmond, oklahoma, august, 1986, less, than, fifteen, minutes, year, postal, worker, patrick, sherrill, pursued, shot, several, coworkers, killing, injuring, another, before, committing, suicide, c. The Edmond post office shooting was a mass shooting that occurred in Edmond Oklahoma on August 20 1986 In less than fifteen minutes 44 year old postal worker Patrick Sherrill pursued and shot several coworkers killing 14 and injuring another six before committing suicide It is currently deadliest workplace shooting in U S history as well as the deadliest shooting by a lone gunman in the state of Oklahoma Edmond post office shootingPart of mass shootings in the United StatesLocationEdmond Oklahoma United StatesDateAugust 20 1986 1986 08 20 7 00 7 15 a m UTC 05 Attack typeMass shooting murder suicideWeaponsColt M1911 45 ACP semi automatic pistol Remington M1911 45 ACP semi automatic pistol Ruger MK II 22 caliber semi automatic pistol 1 2 Deaths15 including the perpetrator Injured6PerpetratorPatrick SherrillMotiveUnknownThe attack inspired the American phrase going postal 3 Contents 1 Background 2 Shooting 3 Victims 3 1 Memorial 4 Perpetrator 5 Subsequent postal shooting incidents 6 See also 7 Footnotes 8 References 9 External linksBackground EditSherrill was a relief carrier meaning he was often required to work alternate routes on different days a position dictated by his rank on the seniority list His lack of a permanently assigned route meant that he lacked the same job stability as other USPS workers Opinions vary concerning his job performance Some reports portray him as an erratic irritable worker others claim he performed well and was being badgered by management In any case on the afternoon of August 19 1986 supervisors Esser and Bland reprimanded Sherrill for his behavior 4 Shooting EditShortly after 7 00 a m on August 20 1986 Patrick Sherrill killed Richard Esser Jr one of two supervisors who had verbally disciplined him the previous day Sherrill then sought out Bill Bland another supervisor who had reprimanded him However Bland had overslept that morning and arrived an hour late to work by which time the shootings were already over Not finding Bland Sherrill then killed co worker Paul Michael Rockne Around 100 workers occupied the small facility at the time of the attack Fourteen people died at the scene and six others received wounds requiring hospitalization The day s violence ended when Sherrill shot himself in the forehead 1 Victims EditFourteen people were killed in the shooting while six others were injured The victims were 1 KilledPatricia Ann Chambers 41 part time clerk Judy Stephens Denney 41 part time clerk Richard C Esser Jr 38 supervisor Patricia A Gabbard 47 clerk Jonna Ruth Gragert 30 clerk Patty Jean Husband 48 supervisor Betty Ann Jarred 34 clerk William F Miller 30 rural carrier Kenneth W Morey 49 rural carrier Leroy Orrin Phillips 42 rural carrier Jerry Ralph Pyle 51 rural carrier Paul Michael Rockne 33 letter carrier Thomas Wade Shader Jr 31 part time clerk Patti Lou Welch 27 clerk InjuredWilliam Nimmo Gene Bray Michael H Bigler Steve Vick Judy Walker Joyce Ingram Memorial Edit Memorial to the 1986 post office incident in Edmond Oklahoma The Yellow Ribbon Memorial is a commemorative outdoor structure dedicated to the victims of the Edmond Oklahoma post office shooting Dedicated on May 29 1989 it is located outside the post office s main entry to the south The memorial contains the bronze statue of a man and a woman standing atop the fountain s center base and holding the ribbon of which the bow is attached to the base To represent the fourteen victims killed in the shooting the fountain contains fourteen water jets and a plaque on the front of the base listing their names 5 The memorial was built by the Edmond community and the United States Postal Services 6 the statue was created by sculptor Richard Muno 1939 2015 6 7 Community members have gathered at the memorial to commemorate the victims especially on the 25th 2011 8 and 30th 2016 9 anniversaries The memorial was surveyed in May 1996 as well maintained categorized by the Smithsonian American Art Museum 5 Over the years the memorial slowly deteriorated with apparent cracks in the concrete 10 11 Throughout the early 2010s operations of the fountain were halted for according to USPS a damaged water supply line 10 As of 2016 the fountain still operates seasonally 9 11 Perpetrator EditPatrick Henry Sherrill November 13 1941 August 20 1986 was born in Watonga Oklahoma and had served in the United States Marine Corps 12 He was considered an expert marksman and was a member of a National Guard pistol team 1 Subsequent postal shooting incidents EditMain article List of postal killings The 1986 Edmond incident was the first of several highly publicized postal shootings 1991 Ridgewood New Jersey 13 14 1991 Royal Oak Michigan 15 1993 Dearborn Michigan 1993 Dana Point California 16 1995 Montclair New Jersey 17 1997 Milwaukee Wisconsin 2006 Goleta California 18 See also Edit 1980s portalMass shootings in the United States Gun violence in the United States List of rampage killers workplace killings Workplace violence Organizational conflict Workplace aggressionFootnotes EditReferences Edit a b c d Justus Dale 8 August 2011 Fifteen Minutes of Terror Massacre at the Edmond Oklahoma Post Office iUniverse Incorporated p 34 ISBN 978 1462041985 Ellis Randy 22 August 1986 Authorities Piece Together Tragedy Gunman at Edmond Post Office Knew Where to Shoot People The Oklahoman Retrieved 22 February 2020 Staff September 4 1994 Shootings Seal Post Office Rep Chicago Sun Times Archived from the original on June 29 2014 Retrieved 22 May 2014 via HighBeam Research subscription required Staff May 1 2005 On August 20 1986 a part time letter carrier named Patrick H Sherrill facing possible dismissal after a clear troubled work history The Journal of Employee Assistance Archived from the original on June 29 2014 Retrieved 22 May 2014 via HighBeam Research subscription required a b The Yellow Ribbon sculpture Art Inventories Catalog Smithsonian American Art Museum Retrieved November 24 2016 IAS OK000160 a b Everett Dianna 2009 Edmond Post Office Massacre The Encyclopedia of Oklahoma History and Culture Oklahoma Historical Society Retrieved November 24 2016 Funeral of Richard Carl Muno July 2 1939 July 28 2015 Matthews Funeral Home and Cremation Service Retrieved November 24 2016 Saturday Marks 25th Anniversary Of Edmond Post Office Massacre News9 com August 20 2011 Retrieved November 25 2016 a b Hermes Grant August 20 2016 Residents Gather For 30th Anniversary Of Edmond Post Office Massacre News9 com Retrieved November 25 2016 a b Torp Karl August 13 2012 Memorial Fountain For Edmond Post Office Shooting Victims Runs Dry News9 com Retrieved November 25 2016 a b Hermes Grant September 21 2016 Going Postal How Safe Are We At Work News9 com Retrieved November 25 2016 Morgan Rhett August 20 2006 Postal massacre remembered It was 20 years ago today that 15 people were killed in Edmond Tulsa World Archived from the original on June 29 2014 Retrieved 25 May 2014 via HighBeam Research subscription required Hanley Robert October 11 1991 4 Slain in 2 New Jersey Attacks And Former Postal Clerk Is Held The New York Times A former postal worker commits mass murder The History Channel website 2010 Retrieved 2010 11 11 Levin Doron P November 15 1991 Ex Postal Worker Kills 3 and Wounds 6 in Michigan The New York Times Retrieved 2008 02 26 Gregory K Moffatt Blind Sided Homicide Where It Is Least Expected at 37 2000 Death in the Post Office The Overview Former Montclair Postal Worker Charged With Killings in Robbery The New York Times March 23 1995 Holusha John Archibold Randal C 2006 02 01 Ex Employee Kills 6 Others and Herself at California Postal Plant The New York Times Retrieved January 11 2023 External links Edit Going postal Crazy Pat s Revenge Time June 24 2001 The loner From shy football player to Crazy Pat The New York Times August 22 1986 Aug 20 1986 Just an ordinary day EnidNews com August 20 2006 15 die in post office rage The News Journal August 21 1986 Former marine kills 14 self Lodi News Sentinel August 21 1986 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Edmond post office shooting amp oldid 1141921220, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
