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.
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Key leads to think about
🎯
suspect
Lead #1Who was the unknown individual or individuals responsible for the brutal stabbing of Trooper Bowman?
🔍
evidence
Lead #2What evidence was collected at the crime scene that could identify the attacker(s)?
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witness
Lead #3Did the trooper's two-year-old daughter or any neighbors witness details that could help identify the assailant?
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 at approximately 4:15 a.m. The off-duty trooper, who was unarmed, struggled with his attacker(s) in a violent confrontation that awakened his two-year-old daughter before succumbing to his injuries. Despite decades of investigation by the FBI, Virginia State Police, and local authorities, the identity of the killer or killers 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
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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 #4What was the motive for this violent attack on an off-duty police officer?
📞
contact
Lead #5Anyone with information is urged to contact the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI or Virginia State Police at (703) 803-2676
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
04:15Murder of Trooper Johnny Rush Bowman
Virginia State Trooper Johnny Rush Bowman was brutally attacked and stabbed 45 times by an unknown assailant(s) while off-duty at his home near Patterson Place in Manassas, Virginia. The unarmed trooper engaged in a struggle with the attacker(s) that awakened his two-year-old daughter. Trooper Bowman later succumbed to his injuries.
Key Locations
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Case Information
Incident:August 19, 1984 at 4:15 AM
Last Updated:September 11, 2026
Up to $50,000 Reward
For information leading to the resolution of this case
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Case Information
Incident:August 19, 1984 at 4:15 AM
Last Updated:September 11, 2026
Up to $50,000 Reward
For information leading to the resolution of this case