Police Magazine Logo
MenuMENU
SearchSEARCH

$50K Reward Offered In Va. Trooper's 1984 Killing

Almost three decades after the murder of Virginia Trooper Johnny Bowman, law enforcement authorities offered a $50,000 reward in hopes of solving the cold case.

August 15, 2012
$50K Reward Offered In Va. Trooper's 1984 Killing

Photo: Virginia State Police

2 min to read


Almost three decades after the murder of Virginia Trooper Johnny Bowman, law enforcement authorities offered a $50,000 reward in hopes of solving the cold case.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation, Virginia State Police, and Manassas (Va.) Police Department announced the reward today.

Ad Loading...

"We believe that someone can still provide a piece of the puzzle that will help solve this case," said James W. McJunkin, assistant director in charge of the FBI's Washington field office. "It is important for the public to know that no piece of information is too small to share."

Trooper Bowman was killed at his home in the Bristoe Station development in Manassas on Aug. 19, 1984. He was repeatedly stabbed. The attacker fled on foot, leaving behind eyeglasses, a wig, and a construction hard hat.

Trooper Bowman died at a local hospital, leaving behind a wife and 2-year-old daughter.

Authorities have identified new information regarding DNA found at the scene through advancements in forensic testing, the FBI announced Wednesday. Forensic evidence was originally submitted to the FBI Laboratory for testing in 1984. Additional tests were conducted in the late 1990s and again in 2010.

In the 28 years since Trooper Bowman's murder, investigators have pursued leads in California, Ohio, and other states.

Ad Loading...

"I am confident that we are moving in the right direction with this investigation," said Manassas Police Chief Douglas Keen.

More Patrol

Man in a blue blazer lifting his shirt to reveal a concealed handgun in a waistband holster while standing outdoors.
SponsoredMarch 2, 2026

Safariland Solis Rethinks Concealable Duty

What if Level I retention didn’t require a full duty rig? Safariland’s Solis delivers trusted ALS security in a streamlined OWB platform built for administrative and plainclothes professionals who need protection without the bulk.

Read More →
Woman kneeling with a Bloodhound in front of a white pickup truck.
PatrolMarch 1, 2026

K-9s Play a Critical Role in Finding Missing Persons

Real-world scenarios show that a tracking canine can detect and follow a human track several hours after it was made.

Read More →
Black background with image of police car light bar, logo for POLICE Topics, Tactics & Tips, and headline What are the latest law enforcement boots from Garmont Tactical?
Patrolby Wayne ParhamFebruary 25, 2026

Garmont Tactical’s LE Boot Lineup

In this video, we get a look at the latest law enforcement boots from Garmont Tactical, both for men and women. Kyle Ferdyn, sales manager, showcases four of the latest boots.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Person in protective CMRN suit and breathing gear.
PatrolFebruary 18, 2026

Avon Protection Launches EXOSKIN-S2 High-Performance CBRN Protective Suit

With the commercial availability of Avon Protection’s EXOSKIN-S2, users now have increased options for their protective suit requirements across the spectrum of CBRN threat environments.

Read More →
Sky background with logos for Versatern and Aloft
PatrolFebruary 18, 2026

Versaterm Acquires Aloft to Unlock a New Era of Drones for Public Safety

Versaterm has acquired Aloft, an FAA-approved Unmanned Service Supplier (USS) that specializes in real-time airspace intelligence and flight authorizations.

Read More →
Clooudy sky background with a lot of blue, logo for DroneSense, and dates and location of an upcoming event.
PatrolFebruary 11, 2026

Versaterm Launches Innovation Summit for Public Safety Drone Operations

The two-day DroneSense Innovation Summit by Versaterm will bring together public safety and industry experts to define best practices for scaling drone operations.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Thumnail for video series POLICE Topics, Tactics & Tips featuring a black background with police car lights and headline What Makes a Good LE Boot?
Patrolby Wayne ParhamFebruary 11, 2026

What Makes a Good LE Boot?

Learn what makes a boot good for police officers as POLICE visits with Kyle Ferdyn, of Garmont Tactical, who explains the features of boots and why each is needed in an LE boot.

Read More →
Red fabric background with blue and white Folds of Honor logo.
PatrolFebruary 4, 2026

Folds of Honor Opens Scholarship Application for Children and Spouses of Fallen or Disabled Service Members and First Responders

The application period for the Folds of Honor scholarship program is now open through the end of March. Scholarships support students from early education through postsecondary studies, easing the financial burden for families who have given so much in service to others.

Read More →
Closeup of hands reaching to pick up a ballistic helmet and a Team Wendy logo in a white box top center in the image.
PatrolFebruary 4, 2026

Team Wendy Now on GovX: Faster Verification and Discount Access for Eligible Professionals

With GovX verification now integrated directly into the Team Wendy checkout experience, eligible customers can confirm their status in just a few clicks and have the discount applied automatically.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
backgroudn image of desert with inset 5.11 logo and images of pant and boot.
PatrolJanuary 28, 2026

5.11 Debuts 2026 Footwear & Apparel at SHOT Show

5.11 showcased new apparel and footwear products during SHOT Show 2026, including new color options for the A/T Boa Lite Mid Boot and the Founder’s Jacket.

Read More →