Biographical Info
Age: 32
Tour of Duty: 15 years
Badge Number: 1515
Incident Details
Cause of Death: Stabbed
Date of Incident: Sunday, August 19, 1984
Weapon Used: Edged weapon; Knife
Suspect Info: Never identified
On August 19, 1984 at 4:15 a.m., Trooper Johnny Rush Bowman answered the front door at his residence located in the Bristoe Station development of Manassas, Virginia, and was repeatedly stabbed by an unknown assailant. The attacker fled on foot and Trooper Bowman died shortly thereafter at a local hospital.
A suspect was identified but was never charged due to a lack of evidence.
Trooper Bowman had served with the agency for 15 years. He is survived by his wife and daughter.
Anyone with information about the death of Trooper Bowman is urged to contact the Bowman Homicide Task Force at (703) 323-2211 or at bci-fairfax@vsp.virginia.gov
You may remain anonymous.
References
Officer Down Memorial Page
Bowman Murderer Wanted Poster (PDF)
So sad, Lisa, so very sad.
I think you do a difficult service for God by remembering all these forgotten people.
Looking to let case be solved also looking retired detective j.k.rolland. J.K. told me to stick to the facts to help solve johnny’s murder time for all partys to step and be accounted for!! Niki could use the colledge money Iwill be glad to share reward money johnny was my friend I wish I could have seen it coming I know what the puplic did not current lead officer welcome 276-733-3167
Looking for j.k.rolland. Did as he asked years ago. Want murder solved.
Thank you for caring enough to remember these forgotten people, I am hoping the internet will help locate Johnny’s murderer. Even though it has been 26 years, his daughter and I are still hopeful that it will be solved one day. You are genuine and caring and without people like you in the world, people like Nikki and I would slowly lose hope of closure. Thank you for sharing the story about our Johnny.
Thank you for reading. It all started with the cold case of what happened to a missing VT student named Robert Leroy Kovack. There are so many out there who are missing or have been killed with no closure. Knowing that someone else out there cares means a great deal to me.
Would someone please identify the former Va. State Trooper who was considered a suspect but could not develope a case due to lack of evidence. Rumors has it he is now living in Florida and it seems his name has been removed from any comments or suggestions.
I am seeking any information that pretains to the former trooper who was at one time considered a suspect in Trooper Bowman death.
Contact was made with Bo Rhoades and it was determined he knows very little and has very information to offer. I feel confident someone holds the key to solving this crime.If you do not want to share it with me please contact the Virginia State Police.
Equalizer76…I have the name of the former Trooper that was a suspect. Can I ask why you are asking for it? Reason I am asking is because I am very close with the fallen officer in this case.
Hello
I have been successful in several cold cases that interested me. I have considered becoming involved in the Bowman case because I hate the thought someone could enter someones home and murder them, knowing he was also a Va State Trooper.
I have completed a great deal of research and its obvious there are people who claim they want this case solved but not willing to offer any needed information to see it done. Ifyou any anything that may be helpful please forward it to me. My e mail is
harley_ultra@yahoo.com
Greetings,
I have a couple of questions that I cannot find the answers to.
1) a friend of mine knew Trooper Bowman and told me that he ( Bowman ) worked the PWC fair that night until early Sunday morning. Is that true? What is the time gap between arriving home and the attack?
2) one report stated that the family heard the attackers voice before the door was open. Is this accurate? If so, 45 knife wounds is inconsistent to their audible account. Are there Defense wounds?
3) lastly, one report stated that the brother slipped in a puddle of blood and saw the attacker as a black man . Is this accurate?
Thanks and blessings
Hi NBowman
I did not know Trooper Bowman but the case has my interest. I have read and studied every thing I can find about the case. I have my reasons as to my interest in the trooper who was considered a suspect at one time. All I ask is his name and any information available.
I have had some success working with cold cases and I know this case can be solved. Iam not a favorite person with the VSP but nobody is above the law.
Hope to hear from you. My e-mail is harley_ultra@yahoo.com