MELROSE — The U.S. post office was named in honor of a mail carrier last Monday who was mauled to death by a pack of dogs when her postal car broke down on a dirt road on Aug. 21, 2022.

Pam Rock's family said she was transported to UF Shands Hospital in Gainesville. Doctors attempted to save her life by amputating her right leg, right arm and left ear. Her family said she lived long enough for them to say goodbye. She later succumbed to her injuries and died the next day at the age of 61. 

Rock, the youngest of 14 children, was a beloved community member. Her family, friends and coworkers described her as a cheerful, charitable woman. One post office worker said Rock came in early to leave candy for her coworkers. She also sent "good morning" texts and pictures of sunrises. 

Rock's family honored her commitment to serving her community during the ceremony. 

"Pam spent her life serving others. Her role as a letter carrier was no exception," said one of Rock's siblings during the ceremony. "When you walk through this door (to the Melrose Post Office), we hope you remember Pam."

H.R. 3947 changed the name of the U.S. post office on 859 North State Road 21 to the Pamela Jane Rock Post Office Building. The legislation was spearheaded by U.S. Rep. Aaron Bean and signed into law by President Joe Biden earlier this year. 

According to the U.S. Postal Service, Florida ranks No. 7 in the nation for dog bites, with 296 dog attacks on Postal Service employees reported last year.

Florida Rep. Bobby Payne, representing southern Clay County, offered his condolences to the family. 

"Something needs to happen in Florida," Payne said during the ceremony.

Payne proposed the "Pam Rock Act" with the companion bill carried by Florida Sen. Jay Collins. The bill would create a registry of "dangerous dogs" with a history of attacks and require their owners to securely confine their dogs in proper enclosures. 

Because it was not passed before the end of the legislative session, the Pam Rock Act died in the Judiciary Committee. Payne, who will be term-limited this November, told Clay Today he is optimistic Collins will spearhead the bill into law next legislative session.