Roll of Honor
Incident
Patrolman Frank Quinn was shot and killed while attempting to question three suspicious suspects. Patrolman Quinn was on a walking beat that included the intersection of Western Avenue and Washington Street. He was standing in the doorway of a pharmacy at this intersection when he observed three suspicious men walking up Washington Street towards him. As the men reached the intersection, he told them he wanted to talk to them. He crossed the street to talk to them, and before he said a word, they grabbed him, pinning him against a building. He quickly broke free and then saw one of the men draw a revolver. As he went for his own gun, he said, "Don't shoot me! Please think of my family." The gunman then shot him. The patrolman slumped into the gutter after being shot in the head. The other two men fled as soon as the first shot was fired. All three suspects, 23, 28, and 33, were captured, convicted, and sentenced to life imprisonment. All three had parole hearings in 1948. Patrolman Quinn had served with the Lynn Police Department for over two years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and three sisters.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-MA-EAA07F31- 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 Quinn gave the Lynn Police Department 2 years.
Thank you for your service to the Lynn community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Quinn.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Patrolman Francis V. Quinn 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 MA, 199 of 469 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 42.4% of this state's fallen. That is 42.4 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
At Lynn Police Department, 4 of 11 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 36.4% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Francis V. Quinn's cause is highlighted.
How Francis V. Quinn Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Francis V. Quinn is highlighted in Feb.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Francis V. Quinn was killed by gun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
10 officers from Lynn Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
