Postal Workers Push for Security Upgrades After Colleague's Shooting Death

Postal carriers call for changes like tracking devices, cameras, and panic buttons to keep them safe on their routes.

Published on Feb. 23, 2026

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A postal worker in DeKalb County, Georgia named Dequavious Graves was shot and killed while on his postal route on Thursday. A suspect has since been arrested, but the incident has prompted postal carriers to demand security upgrades like tracking devices, cameras, and panic buttons to help keep them safe on their routes.

Why it matters

Postal workers face risks of violence and assault on their daily routes, and the tragic death of Dequavious Graves has highlighted the need for better safety measures to protect them. Postal carriers play a vital role in communities, and ensuring their security is important for maintaining reliable mail service.

The details

Dequavious Graves, a 31-year-old postal worker, was shot and killed on Thursday while on his postal route in Decatur, Georgia. The United States Postal Inspection Service said a suspect was arrested in Atlanta on Tuesday night. Akeiradale Waller, a co-worker of Graves who has returned to work since the incident, said postal carriers now feel unsafe on their routes and are pushing for changes like tracking devices, cameras on their vehicles, and panic buttons to alert for help.

  • Dequavious Graves was killed on Thursday, February 16, 2026.
  • A suspect was arrested in Atlanta on Tuesday, February 21, 2026.

The players

Dequavious Graves

A 31-year-old postal worker who was shot and killed while on his postal route in Decatur, Georgia.

Akeiradale Waller

A co-worker of Dequavious Graves who has returned to work since the incident and is pushing for security upgrades to keep postal carriers safe.

United States Postal Inspection Service

The law enforcement arm of the United States Postal Service that said a suspect was arrested in the shooting death of Dequavious Graves.

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What they’re saying

“Everybody loved talking with him, dealing with him we all loved him. Honestly even management. I heard no complaints ever about Graves.”

— Akeiradale Waller, Postal Worker (Atlanta News First)

“The only time I feel safe is when I don't have to get out my truck. But that's impossible. You have to get out your truck. No, I don't feel safe at all.”

— Akeiradale Waller, Postal Worker (Atlanta News First)

“The only thing they gave me a word of advice is pepper spray dog spray for the dogs but that's not our only problem out there it's actually the humans the customers it's people.”

— Akeiradale Waller, Postal Worker (Atlanta News First)

What’s next

The United States Postal Inspection Service is continuing its investigation into the shooting death of Dequavious Graves, and postal carriers are advocating for increased security measures to protect them on their routes.

The takeaway

The tragic death of postal worker Dequavious Graves has highlighted the risks that postal carriers face on their daily routes and the need for better safety measures to protect them, including tracking devices, cameras, and panic buttons. Ensuring the security of postal workers is crucial for maintaining reliable mail service in communities.