Roll of Honor
Incident
Police Officer John Flynn was shot and killed when he interrupted a burglary in progress at the Northern Pacific Railroad Depot in Helena. He was making his usual rounds when he encountered several burglars in the ticket office breaking into a safe. As he entered the office he was struck with an object and then shot three times as he yelled for help. The suspects fled the scene with $140. Officer Flynn had served with the Helena Police Department for six years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and two children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-MT-D5E1FF30- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
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Tributes
132 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Police Officer Flynn gave the Helena Police Department 6 years.
Thank you for your service to the Helena community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Police Officer John W. Flynn is one of 1 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 0% of all 97,756 officers honored here.
In MT, 93 of 142 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 65.5% of this state's fallen. That is 65.5 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
At Helena Police Department, 1 of 2 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 50% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. John W. Flynn's cause is highlighted.
How John W. Flynn Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. John W. Flynn is highlighted in Apr.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. John W. Flynn was killed by handgun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Helena Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
