On the morning of August 19, 1984, Virginia State Trooper Johnny Rush Bowman, 31, answered a knock at his Manassas home around 4:15 a.m. An unknown assailant or assailants immediately stabbed him between 40 and 45 times. Bowman, unarmed and a five-year veteran of the Virginia State Police and a former U.S. Marine Corps sergeant, struggled with his attacker but died shortly after being taken to a local hospital. His wife, two-year-old daughter, brother and sister-in-law were inside the house and were awakened by the commotion.

The assailant fled on foot and left behind a wig, sunglasses and a construction hard hat that suggested a disguise. Investigators eventually interviewed more than 3,000 people across 41 states and have re-examined the physical evidence as forensic technology advanced, including DNA testing. A suspect was identified at one point and some investigators expressed strong confidence, but prosecutors lacked enough evidence to file charges. The case remains the only unsolved killing of a Virginia State Trooper; the FBI and other law enforcement continue to pursue leads and a reward of up to $50,000 has been posted.

Trooper Bowman’s daughter, now serving with the Manassas Police Department, continues to press for answers. If anyone has information about the early-morning attack or the person seen fleeing, please come forward to investigators.