The person at the center of this case
Virginia State Trooper Johnny Rush Bowman
Cold Case · Open
42 years waiting · since 1984
TROOPER JOHNNY BOWMAN
Justice for Virginia State Trooper Johnny Rush Bowman — the trail went cold in 1984, but the truth hasn't.
Start here
Key leads to think about
🎯
suspect
Lead #1Who was the unknown individual or individuals responsible for the brutal stabbing attack on an off-duty, unarmed state trooper?
🔍
evidence
Lead #2What evidence or forensic material was recovered from the crime scene that could identify the perpetrator?
👁️
witness
Lead #3Did the two-year-old daughter or any neighbors witness details about the attacker that could aid identification?
On August 19, 1984, Virginia State Trooper Johnny Rush Bowman was brutally stabbed 45 times by an unknown assailant at his home near Patterson Place in Manassas, Virginia, while off-duty and unarmed. The violent attack awakened his two-year-old daughter before Trooper Bowman succumbed to his injuries. Despite decades of investigation by the FBI, Virginia State Police, and local authorities, the identity of the killer remains unknown, and a $50,000 reward is being offered for information leading to an arrest and conviction.
Case
#322
Federal Bureau of Investigation, Virginia State Police, Manassas City Police Department, Office of the Commonwealth's Attorney Prince William County
Try asking
Claim this imported case
A one-time $10 claim transfers this imported case workspace to your account. You get 10 uploads for this case, 25 daily AI questions for this case, and public tips with files route to you.
10 uploads25 AI questions/day
This does not start a subscription. When the included limits are reached, the Personal plan unlocks more workspace capacity.
More leads to consider
Beyond the top three above — each detail below could be the thread that pulls this case open.
💡
clue
Lead #4Why was an off-duty trooper targeted for such a violent attack—was this random or targeted?
📞
contact
Lead #5What information do community members from 1984 Manassas possess that they have not yet shared with authorities?
Have information about any of these leads?
Even the smallest detail could be the key to solving this case.
Official wording
Source Narrative
Murder Victim Manassas, Virginia August 19, 1984 The Federal Bureau of Investigation, along with the Virginia State Police, Manassas City Police Department, and the Office of the Commonwealth’s Attorney Prince William County, is seeking the public's assistance in identifying the unknown individual(s) responsible for the brutal murder of Virginia State Trooper Johnny Rush Bowman in Manassas, Virginia. On August 19, 1984, at approximately 4:15 a.m., Virginia State Trooper Johnny Rush Bowman was brutally attacked and stabbed 45 times by an unknown assailant(s) while off-duty at his home located near Patterson Place in Manassas, Virginia.
Trooper Bowman, who was unarmed at the time, engaged in a struggle with the individual(s) that awakened his two-year-old daughter in the home. Trooper Bowman later succumbed to his injuries.
Timeline of Events
👤
1984-08-19
04:15Trooper Bowman Attacked
Virginia State Trooper Johnny Rush Bowman was brutally attacked and stabbed 45 times by an unknown assailant(s) at his home near Patterson Place while off-duty and unarmed. The struggle awakened his two-year-old daughter.
🔍
1984-08-19
Trooper Bowman's Death
Trooper Bowman succumbed to his injuries from the stabbing attack.
Key Locations
Interactive map showing important locations related to this case
Case Information
Incident:August 19, 1984 at 4:15 AM
Last Updated:October 21, 2026
Up to $50,000 Reward
For information leading to the resolution of this case
Leave a comment
Comments
Case Information
Incident:August 19, 1984 at 4:15 AM
Last Updated:October 21, 2026
Up to $50,000 Reward
For information leading to the resolution of this case