Tyson
Jerome Barnette was shot multiple times and pronounced dead at the scene in
Landover, about 10 miles (16km) from Washington.
Police
are trying to identify suspects and a motive.
The
US Postal Inspection Service is putting up a $100,000 (£61,700) reward for
information leading to an arrest and a conviction.
Prince
George's County police are offering a $25,000 (£15,000) reward for help in
identifying suspects.
A
resident, Paulette Richardson, told local TV WUSA9 that she "knew they
were gunshots because I know what gunshots sound like. I started running."
More
than 100 colleagues and friends gathered for a candle-lit vigil at the site of
Mr Barnette's murder, holding a moment of silence and saying a prayer.
The scene of
the crime is 10 miles from the US capital. Pic: CBS/WUSA
One
of them, Elton Branson, said: "It's a tragedy and my heart goes out to him
and his family.
"I
understand that he had a little girl, and for her to go through her life now
without her father is just very unfortunate."
Some
of Mr Barnette's co-workers said his killing was an example of how dangerous
their job can be, and expressed concern for their safety.
Kenneth
Lerch, a union leader with the National Association of Letter Carriers, said
the postal service is failing to protect workers after it gets dark.
"I'm
outraged. I'm more than angry. It didn't have to happen," Mr Lerch said.
"It's
bound to happen again if something is not done about it, it is inherently
dangerous to deliver mail in the dark."
While
it is rare for a postal worker to be killed while delivering mail, US Postal
Service spokesman Frank Schissler said it has happened before.
A
postal worker was killed north of Houston in May and in 2010 a deliveryman in
Miami was shot dead.
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