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Mail Carrier Honored for Acts of Bravery

Updated: Thursday, January 31 2013, 01:59 AM EST
ATHENS -- Charles Rose has been a been a mailman for 25 years, but a unique talent has set him apart from the rest: he’s sniffed out 16 natural gas leaks in the past four years, before anyone else got a whiff of the danger.

“ I have a very sensitive nose, and it’s protected some people’s lives over the past few years,” Rose said.

Rose’s keen nose has saved countless Athens County families from disaster over the past quarter-century.  His sniffer even persuaded the local gas company to replace almost three miles of aging, deteriorating pipelines in the neighborhoods he serves.

Rose's activism also led him to the office of the Athens City Council, where he convinced members to pass a law requiring carbon monoxide detectors in the city’s 5400 rental units.  

The National Association of Letter Carriers has taken notice of Rose's work, honoring him for acts of heroism or bravery. Although, Rose would doesn't seem to agree with the "hero" label.

“To me, heroes are firemen, policemen, and soldiers,” he told said.  “Those are heroes. All I did was to take time enough to care, to warn someone that I thought there was a problem.”  

The humble letter carrier is also credited with aiding a woman who was having a heart attack, and helping Athens police nab a fugitive.  ABC 6/FOX 28 wanted to know: is there any emergency during which Rose wouldn't want to take the lead?

“I hope I never have to deliver a woman’s baby," he replied. "I don’t think I’d like that job.  I’m too squeamish!”

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Reporter: Terri Sullivan
Web Producer: Ken HinesMail Carrier Honored for Acts of Bravery