Postal Inspector Finton T. McMahon

Finton T. McMahon

Postal Inspector Finton McMahon fell to his death while conducting an internal criminal investigation in the Akron, Ohio, Post Office.

He was inside the lookout gallery, located 20 feet above the workroom floor, and had just begun to climb down a steel ladder when he lost his footing and fell down the ladder well, suffering a fatal head injury.

Post offices are constructed with enclosed observation catwalks that are used to conduct surveillance when theft is suspected. Known as lookout galleries, these catwalks are very dark and cramped, and often span several floors via straight shafts equipped with ladders. Inspector McMahan was conducting a criminal investigation and using one of these galleries, located 20 feet above the workroom floor, and had just begun to climb down a steel ladder when he lost his footing and fell down the ladder well, suffering a fatal head injury.

Inspector McMahon had served with the United States Postal Service for nine years. He was survived by his wife and four children.