The New York State Senate confirmed the appointment of Patrick M. O'Flynn as Sheriff of Monroe County to fill the vacancy created by departing Sheriff Andrew P. Meloni's retirement on May 31, 2001. The appointment was made by Governor George Pataki.

O'Flynn's confirmation by the full Senate followed committee review of his nomination by the Senate Committee on Crime Victims, Crime and Corrections, and the Senate Finance Committee.

Sheriff Patrick O'Flynn has been with the department since January 1976 and has served as the Undersheriff in Monroe County since January 1988. He will now fulfill the remaining portion of departing Sheriff Meloni's term, which will expire on December 31, 2001. Sheriff O'Flynn will run for re-election to the four-year term this November.