South Jersey Postal Worker Honored Nationwide For Saving Family From Burning Home

CHERRY HILL, NJ — A Cherry Hill mail carrier was named a nationwide "Hero of the Year" for his efforts that saved a baby, woman, and dog from a burning home.

Kyle Quillen, of Camden, is among fewer than 10 of all mail carriers in the United States who were honored last month during a ceremony conducted by the National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC).

On April 23, 2025, Quillen was on his route in Cherry Hill when he smelled smoke and noticed "a plume" coming from a home.

After calling 9-1-1, he ran to the house, which he had delivered to earlier in the day, and realized the building was now engulfed in flames.

After knocking on the door, Quillen went to knock on a neighbor's door when he noticed a woman, baby, and dog on the side porch.

"I ask her just to hand off the baby to me...tucked him into my shoulder, and we ran past the fire, and I got them both out of the backyard," Quillen said.

He also saved the dog by creating a makeshift leash from a key chain he had and brought the animal to a neighbor.

In around two minutes, after everyone was safe thanks to Quillen, the fire department arrived and was able to put out the flames.

The woman and baby were taken to the hospital to be checked out for smoke inhalation.

The house remains raised and vacant.

"I was just completely happy that the only thing that was lost was the house," said Quillen.

Each year, the NALC honors "the special acts of courage and compassion performed by letter carriers who improve-or save-lives along their routes."

A group of independent judges chooses the winners from a collection of stories that detail heroism and community service.

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