Virginia State Trooper Johnny Rush Bowman was stabbed 45 times in the entryway of his home on August 19, 1984. On Monday, the FBI announced a $50,000 reward for information that leads to the arrest and conviction of his killers
The FBI has announced a $50,000 reward for information that helps solved the 1984 cold case murder of a Virginia State Trooper.
Johnny Rush Bowman was stabbed 45 times while off-duty at his home in Manassas before sunrise on August 19, 1984.
His young daughter, wife, brother, and sister-in-law were also in the home at the time of the stabbing, and the killer or killers reportedly left behind sunglasses, a wig, and a construction hard hat, a statement from the FBI says.
Bowman’s daughter Nikki was only two years old when her father was murdered.
She says in all her years living in the small town of Manassas, she has never heard a bad word about him. His legacy inspired her to become a police officer herself.
But she says the burden of her father’s death has weighed heavily on her, and not knowing who could be behind his murder adds to her pain.
‘For me, it’s caused a lot of trust issues, being that the person who did this is still an unknown,’ she said.
‘Is it somebody I’m talking to on a regular basis? Do they still live in the area? Should I be fearful?’
Bowman’s daughter Nikki was just two years old when her father was killed. She says not knowing who killed her father leaves her anxious and worried. Nikki also became a police officer (pictured: Trooper Bowman and Nikki)
Captain Greg Kincaid, Virginia State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigation’s Fairfax Field Office, says solving the case is a priority for the Virginia State Police family.
‘For 34 years, Trooper Johnny Bowman’s daughter, parents, brother, friends, and colleagues have had to endure his loss and not knowing who was responsible for taking his life,’ Kincaid said.
‘That’s why still today, the Virginia State Police and our partnering agencies remain determined to solve this homicide and bring Johnny’s killer to justice.’
Bowman’s murder is the only unsolved killing of a Virginia State Trooper in the state’s history.
’34 years is a long time of waiting,’ Nikki said. ‘My life is constant struggle. Every day is hard, and I think it’s time for the roles to be reversed.’
[The killers’] lives should be hard. You need to own up to what you’ve done.
‘I should be able to live happily after this – but I can’t do that without answers.’
Anyone with information about this crime is encouraged 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 here. All tips can remain anonymous.
The 36-year-old says she struggles to trust people, knowing anyone could be her father’s killer, and has begged anyone with information to come forward