FBI Washington
Office of Public Affairs
(202) 278-3519
August 19, 2019

Marking the 35th Anniversary of the Murder of Virginia State Trooper Johnny Rush Bowman

FBI Offering $50,000 Reward for Information Leading to Arrest of Person(s) Responsible

The FBI Washington Field Office, along with the Virginia State Police, Manassas City Police Department, and the Prince William County Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office, continues to seek the public’s assistance in identifying the unknown individual(s) involved in the murder of Virginia State Trooper Johnny Rush Bowman, which took place 35 years ago today. The FBI is committed to investigating violent crime and bringing justice to the victims’ families, no matter if the crime happened yesterday or 35 years ago.

On August 19, 1984, at approximately 4:15 a.m., Trooper Bowman was brutally attacked and stabbed 45 times by an unknown assailant(s) while at his home located near Patterson Place in Manassas, Virginia. Trooper Bowman, who was unarmed at the time, engaged in a struggle with the assailant(s) that awakened his 2-year-old daughter in the home. Trooper Bowman later succumbed to his injuries.

The FBI has provided investigative assistance to both the Virginia State Police and the Manassas City Police Department in this investigation since 1984, to include the processing of evidence at the FBI Laboratory. The killer or killers reportedly left behind sunglasses, a wig, and a construction hard hat.

The FBI is offering a reward of up to $50,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person(s) responsible for the violent murder of Virginia State Trooper Johnny Rush Bowman.

Law enforcement agencies are asking anyone with information about this crime to call the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI (1-800-225-5324) or the Virginia State Police at 703-803-2676. You may also contact your local FBI office, the nearest American Embassy or Consulate, or submit a tip online at tips.fbi.gov. All tips can remain anonymous.