A million miles later, Flandreau mail carrier still delivers

By Carleen Wild

Moody County Enterprise

If you’ve spent much time in Flandreau, chances are you know Brian (Pedro) Johnson.
He’s the guy walking around town most weekdays with a mail bag slung over his shoulder, delivering letters, packages and likely a quick hello along the way.
Johnson has worked for the United States Postal Service for more than 32 years, following in the footsteps of his father. This past week, that service — and a longtime remarkable safety record behind the wheel — earned him special recognition.
Johnson was honored for 30 years of safe driving with the USPS and inducted into the National Safety Council’s Million Mile Club, recognizing professional drivers who reach either one million miles or 30 years of accident-free driving.
Helping celebrate the milestone were Ryan Tanghe, a USPS driving safety instructor based in Sioux Falls, and Michelle Feldhacker, manager of post office operations for the region.
For Johnson, the recognition meant something a little different than the safety award itself.
“You know, it probably meant more, the years I put in,” Johnson said.
“The safe driving, that was cool. I was close to getting in accidents before, you know. I’d been fortunate that I didn’t. But I think the thing that meant a lot to me was some of the years I’ve put in with the same company. Because believe me, there’ve been days that I wanted to walk away.”
While many in town think of Johnson as the mail carrier always out walking, these days he actually spends about half his route driving after taking on a longer delivery area.
“I drive probably half my route now,” he said.
Johnson started his postal career Oct. 30, 1993, as a clerk in Madison, South Dakota. Over the years, he’s filled a number of roles, from carrying mail to serving as an acting supervisor in Watertown and officer-in-charge in both Lake Preston and Wentworth before eventually landing back on his home turf in Flandreau in 2010.
Local Postmaster Emman Bamba said Johnson has long been the kind of employee willing to step in wherever needed.
“I do remember back in 2012 when I started my career as a city carrier, and he helped me anytime I struggled finishing a route,” Bamba said.
Bamba said he believes Johnson may be the first local postal employee to receive the recognition.