The person at the center of this case
Port Authority Police Officer (assault victim)
Cold Case · Open
44 years waiting · since 1981
DONNA JOAN BORUP
Justice for Port Authority Police Officer (assault victim) — the trail went cold in 1981, but the truth hasn't.
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Key leads to think about
🎯
suspect
Lead #1Where has Borup been hiding since 1982? Her known ties to Pennsylvania, New Jersey, North Carolina, and Canada suggest possible safe houses or support networks.
👤
person
Lead #2What is Borup's current appearance and identity? With a photographic memory and high intelligence, could she be operating under an assumed name?
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contact
Lead #3Who were Borup's accomplices in the demonstration and subsequent flight? Have they been located or prosecuted?
Donna Joan Borup is wanted for her alleged role in a violent anti-apartheid demonstration at JFK International Airport on September 26, 1981, where she allegedly threw a caustic substance into a Port Authority Police Officer's eyes, causing partial blindness. She was arrested and released on bail but failed to appear for trial in May 1982, leading to state and federal arrest warrants for riot, assault, and unlawful flight to avoid prosecution. Despite decades passing, Borup remains a fugitive with known ties to Pennsylvania, New Jersey, North Carolina, and Canada.
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More leads to consider
Beyond the top three above — each detail below could be the thread that pulls this case open.
💡
clue
Lead #4How did Borup support herself financially while evading capture for over 40 years?
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Official wording
Source Narrative
Unlawful Flight to Avoid Prosecution - Riot, Assault on a Police Officer Caution: Donna Joan Borup is wanted for her alleged participation in a violent anti-apartheid demonstration at JFK International Airport in Queens, New York, on September 26, 1981. During the riot, Borup allegedly tossed a caustic substance into the eyes of a Port Authority Police Officer, leaving him partially blind.
At the time, Borup was a member of the May 19th Communist Organization, a Marxist-Leninist organization which advocated the armed revolution and violent overthrow of the United States Government. Borup, along with some accomplices, was arrested and released on bail pending trial in May of 1982.
On May 20, 1982, an arrest warrant was issued for Borup after she failed to appear for her trial on a Queens County indictment which charged her with riot in the first degree and assault in the first degree. On September 14, 1982, a federal arrest warrant was issued for Borup in the Eastern District of New York and she was charged with unlawful flight to avoid prosecution.
Remarks: Borup has ties to Pennsylvania, New Jersey, North Carolina, and Canada. Borup is thought to have a photographic memory and is highly intelligent.
Timeline of Events
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1981-09-26
Anti-apartheid demonstration and assault
Donna Joan Borup allegedly threw a caustic substance into the eyes of a Port Authority Police Officer during a violent riot at JFK International Airport, causing partial blindness.
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1982-05
Arrest and bail release
Borup was arrested and released on bail pending trial.
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1982-05-20
Failure to appear for trial
An arrest warrant was issued when Borup failed to appear for her trial on Queens County indictment charging riot in the first degree and assault in the first degree.
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1982-09-14
Federal arrest warrant issued
A federal arrest warrant was issued in the Eastern District of New York for unlawful flight to avoid prosecution.
Key Locations
Interactive map showing important locations related to this case
Case Information
Incident:September 26, 1981
Last Updated:June 14, 2026
Up to $100,000 Reward
For information leading to the resolution of this case
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Case Information
Incident:September 26, 1981
Last Updated:June 14, 2026
Up to $100,000 Reward
For information leading to the resolution of this case