Roll of Honor
Incident
Patrolman John Flynn succumbed to gunshot wounds received ten years earlier when he and Captain Albert Youmans were ambushed by a gunman hidden behind a factory wall at Edison Avenue and the Railroad Bridge at 10:00 pm. Despite being wounded by the shotgun blast, Patrolman Flynn carried the mortally wounded Captain Albert Youmans to a call box one block away. Captain Youmans was transported to a local hospital where he succumbed to his wounds several hours later. Patrolman Flynn recovered slightly from his injuries and returned to light police duty before taking a turn for the worse. The prime suspect was later shot and killed in a shootout with Patrolman Frank Quinlivan on September 15, 1925. Patrolman Quinlivan was also killed in the shootout. Prior to killing Patrolman Quinlivan, the suspect was also the prime suspect in the murder of Sergeant Thomas Oates of the Troy Police Department. Patrolman Flynn had served with the Schenectady Police Department for 12 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his mother, two sisters, two brothers, and a stepbrother.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-NY-7E87EF22- 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
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Patrolman Flynn gave the Schenectady Police Department 12 years.
Thank you for your service to the Schenectady community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Flynn.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Patrolman John R. 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 NY, 728 of 2,147 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 33.9% of this state's fallen. That is 33.9 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
At Schenectady Police Department, 4 of 9 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 44.4% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. John R. Flynn's cause is highlighted.
How John R. Flynn Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. John R. Flynn is highlighted in Aug.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. John R. Flynn was killed by shotgun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
8 officers from Schenectady Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
