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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
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- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 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
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Schenectady Police Department has lost 9 officers; 4 of them killed feloniously.
John is one of 739 officers killed feloniously in NY, 34.7% of the 2,132 remembered there.
John is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
John is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,117 remembered here.
34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1934, 14 officers in NY were killed feloniously, the 3rd heaviest of 154 years on record. The heaviest was 2001, with 32.
In 1934, 178 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 16th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1934, 179 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 21st heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
John was 37. Of the 671 killed feloniously in NY whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 43; the middle age was 35. John had served 12 years; the middle length of service was 8 years.
John was 37. Of the 14,220 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. John had served 12 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
John was 37. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. John had served 12 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
August holds 8.8% of these deaths in NY; September holds the most, 13.8%. Tuesdays: 16.5%.
August holds 8.9% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Tuesdays: 13.4%.
August holds 8.6% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Tuesdays: 13.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 44.4% of all 9 deaths at Schenectady Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 50% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 34.7% of all 2,132 deaths in NY, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 4.7% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 7% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 6.3% of these deaths.
His people
Schenectady Police Department has 9 officers remembered here, John among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 18-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
8 officers from Schenectady Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
