On this day August 20 1986, a tragic event unfolded in Edmond, Oklahoma when postal worker Patrick Sherrill killed 14 of his co-workers and injured 6 others before taking his own life. The shocking massacre became one of the deadliest workplace shootings in American history at the time.
The incident left the small community reeling and brought nationwide attention to workplace stress and violence. It was also the event that gave rise to the phrase "going postal," which became a grim shorthand in the years that followed. The tragedy highlighted the need for improved workplace safety, mental health awareness, and better conflict resolution within high-pressure environments.
80s insight: The Edmond post office shooting was one of the most infamous workplace tragedies of the 1980s, shaping both workplace policies and the way Americans discussed stress on the job.
The incident left the small community reeling and brought nationwide attention to workplace stress and violence. It was also the event that gave rise to the phrase "going postal," which became a grim shorthand in the years that followed. The tragedy highlighted the need for improved workplace safety, mental health awareness, and better conflict resolution within high-pressure environments.
80s insight: The Edmond post office shooting was one of the most infamous workplace tragedies of the 1980s, shaping both workplace policies and the way Americans discussed stress on the job.
