National Postal Museum

POSTAL INSPECTORS: THE SILENT SERVICE
An Exhibit at the Smithsonian National Postal Museum


::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

	Home

	The Silent Service

	Postal Crime

	Silent but Effective

	Surveyor-Inspector

	Robbing the Mail

	Unexpected Duties
	One Step Ahead White Powder

	Bombs in the Mail

	You Solve the Case

	Don't Be a Victim

	In Memoriam

	Protecting You Now

	Resources

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

< back

UNEXPECTED DUTIES

	Image:		Fighting crime is often dangerous and violent. Postal inspectors are trained in a variety of investigative techniques and procedures, including the use of weapons. The Postal Inspection Service became the first law enforcement agency to purchase the Thompson submachine gun, commonly known as the “Tommy Gun,” to fight crime. On loan from the United States Postal Inspection Service

	A wide variety of duties and crimes have come across the desks of America’s postal inspectors. They have been assigned to help protect or escort valuable or significant mail items. They have worked alone, or on specially-created task forces to protect not only the mail, but also the nation’s trust in the postal system.

	FDR's Mailbag

	FDR's mailbag click to enlarge Inspector Herbert Theurer holding the White House mailbag click to enlarge		One of the most unusual postal inspector assignments was in the mid-twentieth century when individual inspectors were assigned to the White House. When the President left the White House, the assigned inspector traveled with him. Travel duties included overseeing the dispatch, delivery and protection of the President’s mail, using a specially-assigned White House mailbag. On May 1, 1937, Postal Inspector Herbert G. Theurer carried this mailbag from the Galvez Hotel in Galveston, Texas, where President Franklin Roosevelt was staying while on vacation. Theurer hand carried the bag and its contents to Roosevelt who was enjoying some offshore fishing aboard the presidential yacht Potomac. Image (top): FDR's mailbag. On loan from the United States Postal Service Image (bottom): Inspector Herbert Theurer posed for this photograph with the White House mailbag. Courtesy of the Ron J. Pry Historical Collection

Inspectors and Diamonds

Inspectors and gun for Lesotho Diamond click to enlarge				Hope Diamond wrapper click to enlarge

Image: Inspectors and gun for Lesotho Diamond

Jeweler Harry Winston purchased the Lesotho Diamond in 1967. The 601-carat gem was sent by registered mail to Winston’s New York City store. U.S. postal inspectors Ralph Espina (left), LeRoy Kingsland (right), and George Ross escorted the diamond from the arriving Swissair flight to the main city post office. Kingsland was armed with a Thompson submachine gun. Espina carried the diamond in a satchel attached by handcuffs to one wrist and a shotgun in his other hand. The diamond spent the night under lock and key in the post office registry section before being picked up the next day by the jewelers.

Image: Hope Diamond wrapper

In November 1958, American jeweler Harry Winston donated the Hope diamond to the Smithsonian Institution. The exquisite blue diamond was placed in this package and sent by registered mail. Postal inspectors ensured that the gem arrived safely. In Washington, it was immediately taken to the City Post Office (then located in this building), where it was picked up and delivered by postal carrier James G. Todd. The price paid for shipping the gem, valued at $1 million at the time, was $145.29, most of that for package’s insurance.

< back | next >



	Acknowledgements	National Postal Museum \| Copyright and Privacy \| Contact