As Charles Roscoe Jr., a letter carrier for the United States Post Office in Selma, prepared for his daily route Wednesday, he was surprised with January’s Rising Star Award.

The award, presented by the Selma and Dallas County Chamber of Commerce, is given to someone that displays outstanding customer service day in and day out.

Roscoe has been a USPS employee for nearly 26 years now, making him a regular face for the people on his route.

“It’s a blessing to even be recognized,” Roscoe said. “I thank God for it. It’s a blessing.”

Roscoe began his career at the postal service with the influence of his father, someone that already knew how great the opportunity was.

“My dad, when he retired from the military, he got on with the postal service so he kind of encouraged me when I finished school to apply and take the test for it. So that’s what I did,” Roscoe said. “I’m really proud to be an employee with the postal service. I work with an excellent group of people here. I just enjoy what I do.”

Along his route, Roscoe has encountered a number of people, many of which have become friends.

“The customers on the route [make the job enjoyable]. It’s a joy just interact with the people out on the route,” he said. “I would especially like to give a special thank you to Mrs. [Vaughan] Johnson and all of the people on my route.”

James Roberts, USPS supervisor of customer service, knows first hand how important Roscoe is to the post service and the people on his route.

“I’ve worked with [Roscoe] for going on almost 20 years now, and he actually … is the person I rode out with for the first time,” Roberts said. “I used to be a city carrier, so he trained me. I learned a lot from him.”

Roberts said Roscoe is the model employee — the one you wish everyone could be like.

“He’s always a delight to work with. He’s very dedicated,” Roberts said. “He’s just a great guy, he really is.”