August 3, 2012 -- Six days a week, in every city and town across America, proud union letter carriers travel our streets, serving every home and business along their routes. They represent the front line of safety for many in our communities. Tens of thousands of these courageous letter carriers all across America perform daily deeds of bravery and simple compassion.

One such carrier is Mario Serrano, a member of Long Island Merged Branch 6000 in New York. Serrano recently got a great deal of media attention for his act of service above and beyond the delivery of the mail.

As reported by NBC 4 in New York, an elderly woman had been trapped in her Long Island home for two days before Serrano rescued rescued her, after he became suspicious when he saw her mailbox hadn't been emptied.

The 87-year-old woman had fallen in her bathroom on a Saturday and became wedged between her tub and toilet, unable to get up. She remained there until Monday, when Serrano—a veteran letter carrier—discovered something was amiss.

"There was mail in the mailbox from Saturday, and that's a red flag," Serrano said.

The sound of running water led the carrier to the woman's front door. He rang the bell and heard her screaming for help. That's when Serrano took action. He pried open a window, found the woman and called police. He stayed with her until help arrived.

"She's the one who had the will to live," Serrano said. "She's the hero."

Neighbors along the Garden City street where the woman lives were not surprised to hear of Serrano's concern and speedy response.

"I call him the neighborhood watchdog," said Laura Tarr, who lives next door to the victim. "Everybody knows Mario. He's a great guy."

"He's a prince of a man," added George Salem. "He's very concerned about everyone."

Serrano said he had been checking in on the elderly woman for some time, even bringing stamps to her when she needed them.

"We check up on customers, especially when they are elderly," Serrano said. "That's the kind of customer service we do for everybody."

"I have a mom the same age as this lady," he added. "I would hope someone would do the same for her if she needed help."

Click here to watch to the NBC New York report.