The Murder of Jeff Rowland
Jeffrey Lewis “Jeff” Rowland
Born: 25 Apr 1959, Ranson, West Virginia
Died: 14 Nov 2002 (aged 43), Knoxville, Frederick County, Maryland
Burial: Edge Hill Cemetery, Charles Town, Jefferson County, West Virginia
Email:
marshallmattrs4u@gateway.net
jeffrey_rowland@email.msn.com
Phone: (304) 725-9331
Media Coverage
More articles have surfaced since I wrote my original story. I will update the article with any new information from these sources, indicated in red.
Dead body discovered; suspect still at large
Susan C. Nicol
The Frederick News-Post | Saturday, November 16, 2002
SANDY HOOK -- A dead man's body was discovered along the C&O towpath Friday morning, but homicide investigators were not ready to release his identity or the identity of a suspect later that evening, according to police.
"The victim was known to the suspect," Washington County Sheriff Charles Mades said. "It's not a case where people have to be afraid of someone running around out there."
A man jogging on the C&O Canal towpath in Sandy Hook discovered the body just before 7:30 Friday morning.
The jogger, who lives in the area, said he first thought the bundle he saw down a slight embankment was a bedroll, police said. After realizing it was a body, he ran to a residency and asked the occupant to call 911, police said.
The victim was face down and appeared to have a head injury, police said.
Shortly thereafter, police said they discovered that a window had been shattered on a blue Dodge minivan with West Virginia tags parked at the end of Keep Tryst Road, not far from where the body was found.
Two evidence collection technicians from Hagerstown Police Department, Jeff Kercheval and Susan Blankenship, were called to the scene to assist. They took photographs and measurements.
Mr. Kercheval also dusted the passenger side of the van for fingerprints. He said they will be checked to see if they belong to anyone other than the victim.
The van was towed from the scene, and deputies said they were going to obtain a search warrant from a District Court judge to search the vehicle further.
According to police, local residents said they often saw the van at the location, which they say is a notorious spot for gay solicitation.
Nancy Nicolosi, who lives near the towpath, said the minivan discovered along with the body is one of the suspicious vehicles that frequents the secluded part of Sandy Hook.
The van, she said, had been coming into her neighborhood for about a decade. Ms. Nicolosi said that it once followed her son down the road.
Ms. Nicolosi said she's written letters to authorities urging them to stop the illicit activities, but so far law enforcement efforts have had little success.
National Park Service rangers blocked off a section of the towpath, a popular spot for hikers and bikers, while investigators combed the area for clues.
"I'm uncomfortable driving down there," said Jim Downing, also of Keep Tryst Road. "There are guys sitting down there waiting for other guys to pull up."
Mr. Downing said the presence of undesirable characters along the towpath has curtailed his use of the National Park.
He also said that a nearby parking lot for the Appalachian Trail in Weverton is also an all-male pick-up area.
Although the body was found on National Park Service property, rangers asked the Washington County Sheriff's Office to be the lead investigators.
Police release identity of slain man
Eric Slagle
The Frederick News-Post | Sunday, November 17, 2002
SANDY HOOK -- A man found along the C&O towpath Friday died of a gunshot wound to the neck, according to authorities, and homicide investigators were still working on the case Saturday.
The body of Jeffrey L. Rowland, 43, of the 800 block of Belvedere Heights in Charles Town, W.Va., was discovered on National Park Service property by a jogger shortly before 7:30 a.m.
The victim is believed to have been shot between 4 p.m. on Thursday and Friday morning, according to Deputy Greg Alton of the Washington County Sheriff's Department. As of Saturday, investigators had not established a motive, he said.
Washington County Sheriff Charles Mades said deputies were looking for two different people who may have been involved in the murder, one of whom is a suspect.
Deputy Alton said it's too soon to say whether there are any concrete suspects, but that investigators had questioned friends and family of the victim and were pursuing leads.
Mr. Rowland was a fourth-grade teacher at Wright-Denny Elementary School in Charles Town for 22 years, and was secretary for the school's faculty senate.
He was a graduate of Shepherd College in Shepherdstown W.Va., an avid bowler, and a former Weight Watchers instructor.
Mr. Rowland was a member of Asbury United Methodist Church in Charles Town, where his funeral will be held on Tuesday at 11 a.m.
A blue Dodge minivan with West Virginia plates and a shattered window was discovered near the body at the end of Keep Tryst Road. Deputy Alton said it is believed the victim was shot outside of the vehicle.
Neighborhood residents said the van was often seen in the area of the park which, they assert, is a notorious spot for gay solicitation.
Sheriff Mades would not comment as to whether the investigation was examining illicit activities in the area of the murder.
He said the Maryland State Police had tried to reduce sexual activity in the area several years ago, but he didn't know of any operations by the sheriff's office to do the same.
METRO - In Brief
The Washington Post | Sunday, November 17, 2002 at 7:00 p.m. EST
Robbery Likely Motive in Teacher's Death
Officials in two states are investigating how the body of a fourth-grade teacher from Charles Town, W.Va., wound up near the Potomac River.
The body of Jeffrey Lewis Rowland, 43, was found Friday on a path near a lock at the C&O Canal in Knoxville, Md., just across the river from Harpers Ferry, W.Va., said investigator Greg Alton of the Washington County (Md.) Sheriff's Department.
Rowland, who taught at Wright Denny Intermediate School in Charles Town, died of a gunshot wound to the neck, officers said.
Sheriff Everett "Ed" Boober of the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office in West Virginia said "there is a very good indication" that robbery might have been the motive for the shooting. He said Rowland's wallet and identification were missing.
Teacher's body found in Md. (Article located after the original story published)
Charleston Gazette | November 18, 2002
KNOXVILLE, Md. - Officials in two states are investigating after the body of a fourth-grade teacher from Charles Town, W.Va., was discovered near the Potomac River on Friday.
The body of Jeffrey Lewis Rowland, 43, was found on a path near a lock at the C&O Canal in Weverton, near Knoxville, just across the river from Harpers Ferry, said Investigator Greg Alton of the Washington County, Md., sheriff's department.
Rowland, who taught at Wright Denny Intermediate School in Charles Town, died of a gunshot wound to the neck, officers said.
Jefferson County Sheriff Ed Boober said "there is a very good indication" that robbery might have been the motive for the shooting, noting that Rowland's wallet and identification were missing.
Family members reported Rowland missing after the "very regimented" man failed to return home after school Thursday. Rowland lived with his parents and was their caregiver, Boober said.
Boober said the last murder in Jefferson County happened in the early 1990s.
'Suspect' in slaying is missing (Article located after the original story published)
Dave McMllion
The Herald-Mail | November 18, 2002
CHARLES TOWN, W.Va. - Police investigating the shooting death of Wright Denny Intermediate School teacher Jeffrey L. Rowland say they have a "primary suspect" who was a close friend of the teacher.
Jefferson County Sheriff Everett "Ed" Boober declined to offer more specifics about the person, other than to say he cannot be found.
"It appears the primary suspect has disappeared," Boober said. "It's a pretty interesting investigation so far."
Rowland, 43, of Charles Town, was found by a jogger Friday morning at the Weverton access, which is near the parking area at the end of Keep Tryst Road in the Sandy Hook area.
He was shot once in the neck and probably died at the scene, Boober said.
Boober also released more information about the final moments that Rowland was seen alive.
Investigators were able to speak to a witness who saw Rowland at an area 7-Eleven store Thursday, the day police believe the teacher was killed near the C&O Canal Towpath near Sandy Hook, Boober said.
At about 6:15 p.m. Thursday, Rowland was seen at the 7-Eleven store at the intersection of W.Va. 115 and Jefferson Avenue, which is east of Charles Town, Boober said.
The witness said Rowland appeared to be waiting for someone, Boober said.
If Rowland was able to meet with someone at the convenience store, Boober believes it had something to do with Rowland's death, which occurred later Thursday.
Boober, as well as Washington County investigators, encouraged anyone who may know any information about Rowland's death to call them.
Boober said he is interested in knowing any information "no matter how trivial it is. Of course, if anyone is aware of that (7-Eleven) meeting, it would be very helpful if we can find out who these people are," Boober said.
Boober believes robbery was a likely motive for the slaying.
Rowland's wallet was missing from the scene, and he was found wearing the clothes he typically dresses in for work: a shirt, tie and slacks, Boober said.
Rowland, who taught at Wright Denny for 22 years, was described by colleagues as a dedicated teacher who went out of his way to make sure his students were happy and healthy. Rowland also spent a lot of time with students with special needs, colleagues said.
Fellow teachers have been stunned at the news and Cheryl Huff, a member of the Jefferson County Board of Education, described everyone at Wright Denny as being "in a fog" Friday.
Huff said Sunday that many people remained "so shocked" over Rowland's death and are finding it hard to accept.
The school's Crisis Intervention Team is expected to be at Wright Denny this week to help faculty and children who may be having trouble coping with Rowland's death, school officials said.
School officials said Sunday that Wright Denny will be closed Tuesday in observance of Rowland's death. School will be held today and Wednesday.
Investigators have spoken with about a dozen of Rowland's friends in an attempt determine why he was killed, Boober said.
"We have been going nonstop since Friday," Boober said.
A blue van with a broken passenger-side window found at the scene belonged to the victim, said lead investigator Greg Alton of the Washington County Sheriff's Department.
"We don't believe he was killed inside his van," Alton said Sunday evening.
The damage to the van may be related to the homicide, Alton said. It was possible someone else may have broken into the van after Rowland was killed.
As to motive, Alton said investigators haven't ruled out anything yet.
"We are still interviewing friends and colleagues," Alton said. "We're urging people to come forward with information, no matter how small it might seem. It could be the key piece we have been looking for."
Anyone with information about Rowland's death can call the Jefferson County Sheriff's Department at 304-728-3205 or the Washington County Sheriff's Department at 301-791-3020.
Body identified as area teacher (Article located after the original story published)
Tara Reilly
The Herald-Mail | November 18, 2002
SANDY HOOK - The man found shot to death just off the towpath along Keep Tryst Road near Sandy Hook Friday was a fourth-grade teacher at a Jefferson County, W.Va., school.
Jeffrey L. Rowland, 43, of Charles Town, W.Va., was known for his thoughtfulness in dealing with students and other faculty members, school officials said Saturday.
Washington County Sheriff's Department Investigator Greg Alton said Rowland was the victim of a homicide and died from a gunshot wound to the neck.
Alton did not release any additional details about the incident. The investigation is continuing.
Rowland's body was found by a jogger Friday morning just off the C&O Canal towpath at the Weverton access, which is near the parking area at the end of Keep Tryst Road in the Sandy Hook area. The path runs alongside of the Appalachian Trail.
Rowland had been a teacher at Wright Denny Intermediate Elementary School in Charles Town for 22 years. Wright Denny houses third- through fifth-graders and has a little more than 420 students.
"It was a real shock," Jefferson County Board of Education member Cheryl Huff said.
Huff said she found out about Rowland's death while she was visiting the school Friday and noticed teachers and staff members walking around "in a fog." She said she had planned to make a stop at Rowland's classroom at his request and show photographs to his students.
"Everything was just crazy," Huff said. "Everybody was kind of walking around in shock."
She said authorities with the Washington County Sheriff's Department were at the school checking Rowland's classroom for clues in the case.
Rowland's father told police his son never returned home from work Thursday night, Huff said.
Huff, whose daughter had Rowland as a fourth-grade teacher, said Rowland was reliable and loved his students.
"He loved the kids," Huff said. "He was very professional about doing his job. He was very responsible. He was always there."
School Principal William Willingham said he knew Rowland for about 22 years - since Rowland began teaching. He said Rowland loved to sing and used to be a member of his church's choir. He also said Rowland got along with his fellow teachers and was always considerate.
"He was a very good teacher," Willingham said. "He interacted with the faculty very well. It's going to be hard for our faculty not having him here."
Huff and Willingham said students had not been told about Rowland's death prior to the end of classes for the weekend. The school's Crisis Intervention Team will be available this week for children and faculty members who need help coping with the incident.
Willingham said the school will decide how to tell the students this week.
"I'm sure they're going to have a lot of questions, too," Huff said.
Dale Manuel, a fifth-grade teacher at Wright Denny, said Rowland was always going out of his way to make sure his students were happy and healthy and spent a lot of time with children with special needs.
Manuel, a teacher for 30 years, said he's known Rowland since he began teaching.
"He was an extraordinary teacher," Manuel said. "He was very concerned with the welfare of his students. He'd always go the extra mile. He was very popular with the children."
Manuel also said Rowland was committed to taking care of his parents, Francis and Violet Rowland, with whom he lived.
Rowland collected music and loved the group The Carpenters, Manuel said.
Teachers were shocked and upset when they learned what had happened to their fellow teacher, he said.
"We were absolutely shocked and upset about what's happened to one of our colleagues," Manuel said. "Jeff was the kind of person that would absolutely give you what he had if you asked for it and you needed it. He was a very caring individual ..."
Rowland was a member of Asbury United Methodist Church in Charles Town where he used to sing in the choir. He graduated from Shepherd College and was a member of the West Virginia Education Association.
He was an avid bowler on the Friday Night League at Shenandoah Lanes, a member of the Wright Denny Faculty Senate and a former instructor with Weight Watchers in Charles Town.
In addition to his parents, Rowland is survived by his sister, Faye Rodgers; her husband, Ronald; and his nephews, Scott and Kris, all of Bolivar, W.Va.
Rowland's family members could not be reached for comment Saturday.
"He was a great teacher, and he's going to be missed sorely," Huff said. "We hope whoever did this will be brought to justice."
Body of W.Va. teacher found near Potomac
Associate Press | Monday, November 18, 2002
KNOXVILLE (AP) — Officials in two states are investigating after the body of a fourth-grade teacher from Charles Town, W.Va., was discovered near the Potomac River on Friday.
The body of Jeffrey Lewis Rowland, 43, was found on a path near a lock at the C&0 Canal in Knoxville, just across the river from Harpers Ferry, W.Va., said Investigator Greg Alton of the Washington County Sheriff's Department.
Rowland, who taught at Wright Denny Intermediate School in Charles Town, died of a gunshot wound to the neck, officers said Sheriff Ed Boober of Jefferson County, W. Va., said “there is a very goof indication” that robbery may have been the motive for the shooting, noting that Rowland's wallet and identification were missing.
Family members reported Rowland missing after the "very regimented" man failed to return home after school Thursday. Rowland lived with his parents and was their caregiver, Boober said.
Boober said the last murder in Jefferson County happened in the early 1990s.
Police seeking witness in W.Va. teacher's slaying (Article located after the original story published)
Dave McMillion
The Herald-Mail | November 19, 2002
CHARLESTOWN - Police are now saying that a "primary suspect" who they were looking for in the shooting death of a Charles Town teacher is a material witness.
Jefferson County Sheriff Everett "Ed" Boober said Monday that investigators want to talk to the person because they believe the witness may be able to identify "associates" of teacher Jeffrey L. Rowland or identify people who may have been responsible for his death.
Boober declined to say whether the witness is considered a suspect in the slaying.
On Sunday, Boober referred to the person as a "primary suspect" and said the person disappeared after Rowland was shot to death Thursday night just off the C&O Towpath near Sandy Hook.
On Monday, police in Jefferson and Washington counties talked to people who might have been able to provide information helpful to the investigation, Boober said.
Some of the leads did not pan out.
"We thought this would be clear-cut, but it's got some complications that have set in," Boober said.
"On these cases, you get a lot of leads that don't turn out to be helpful. However, you have to follow every bit of information," Boober said.
Also on Monday, Washington County Sheriff's deputies were interviewing a woman who told police she saw Rowland at a 7-Eleven store east of Charles Town last Thursday, the day Rowland was killed.
The woman - who claims she saw Rowland at about 6:15 p.m. Thursday at the 7-Eleven at the intersection of W.Va. 115 and Jefferson Avenue - told investigators it appeared Rowland was waiting for someone.
Boober said police are still trying to determine Rowland's whereabouts last Thursday between the time he left work at Wright Denny Intermediate School about 4:30 p.m. and the time he was killed, estimated to be before midnight.
Rowland, 43, was found by a jogger Friday morning at the Weverton access, which is near the parking area at the end of Keep Tryst Road in the Sandy Hook area.
He was shot once in the neck and probably died at the scene, Boober said.
Boober believes robbery was a likely motive for slaying, adding that Rowland's wallet was missing from the scene.
As the investigation enters its fifth day, Washington County investigators are continuing to interview people, gather clues and fill in the gaps between the time the victim left his school Thursday and when his body was found the next morning by a jogger.
"We went back to the crime scene Monday and collected additional evidence," said Investigator Greg Alton of the Washington County Sheriff's Department.
Alton also said he has been able to interview a person who reportedly saw Rowland at a convenience store around 6 p.m. Thursday. While not revealing the substance of that interview, he said it was helping him build his case.
At Wright Denny Monday, where Rowland taught for 22 years, operations were calm, said Principal William Willingham.
A Crisis Intervention Team arrived at the school about 8 a.m. to help students and staff members who may be having trouble coping with the teacher's death, Willingham said.
Willingham said although he is sure some students asked counselors questions about Rowland, everyone seemed to be handling the news well.
Although Wright Denny students were not told about Rowland's death before classes let out for the weekend on Friday, some knew about it when they arrived Monday, Willingham said.
A substitute teacher took Rowland's place in his classroom Monday, Willingham said.
Rowland taught fourth grade at Wright Denny and instructed three groups of students, Willingham said.
Rowland taught reading and math to the three groups and he taught the rest of the fourth-grade subjects in his homeroom class, said Willingham, adding that Rowland regularly interacted with 75 students.
It seemed to be a normal day at the school as administrators worked in the main office and a few students walked through the hallways.
Outside, the flag was lowered to half-staff and two black ribbons adorned pillars on the front of the school, which is on West Congress Street in Charles Town.
Wright Denny will be closed today to allow teachers to attend Rowland's funeral at 11 a.m. at Asbury United Methodist Church in Charles Town.
Rowland was known by many teachers in the area, and Willingham said he expects all the school's teachers to attend the funeral.
"This is an older staff and we have been together for a good number of years," Willingham said.
Police still chasing clues in shooting - The Jefferson County Sheriff's Department continued to seek information on the slain teacher's final moments. (Article located after the original story published)
Dave McMillion
The Herald-Mail | November 20, 2002
CHARLES TOWN, W.Va. - The Jefferson County Sheriff said Tuesday his department has received several calls from people offering information they hope can help police solve last week's shooting death of Charles Town teacher Jeffrey L. Rowland.
Based on those calls and the fact that Rowland was fairly well-known among teachers and his students, Jefferson County Sheriff Everett "Ed" Boober is hoping more people who may have seen Rowland last Thursday - the day he was killed - will call the sheriff's department with information.
Boober said earlier in the week that investigators were trying to account for the whereabouts of Rowland last Thursday between the time he left work at Wright Denny Intermediate School at about 4:30 p.m. and when he was killed, which was estimated to be before midnight.
Police believe he was killed at a location just off the C&O Canal near Sandy Hook in southern Washington County.
"Those last minutes are very crucial. There's no question in my mind that there are people who saw him that took it for granted that it was business as usual. But it wasn't business as usual," Boober said.
One of the people who called the sheriff's department Tuesday was a woman who said she saw Rowland shopping at the Wal-Mart store on U.S. 340 north of Charles Town between 5 and 6 p.m. last Thursday, Boober said.
Another woman has said she saw Rowland at about 6:15 p.m. that day at a 7-Eleven store at the intersection of W.Va. 115 and Jefferson Avenue, police said.
The woman said it appeared Rowland was waiting for someone at the convenience store, Boober said.
In another development, Boober said investigators have located a close friend of Rowland's who is being considered a material witness in the case.
Boober said investigators expect to talk to the witness soon.
Rowland, 43, of Charles Town, taught at Wright Denny for 22 years. His body was found last Friday morning by a jogger at the Weverton access, which is near the parking area at the end of Keep Tryst Road in the Sandy Hook area.
He was shot once in the neck and probably died at the scene, Boober said.
Boober believes robbery was a likely motive for the slaying because Rowland's wallet was missing.
Anyone with information about Rowland's death may call the Jefferson County Sheriff's Department at 304-728-3205.
Greg Alton, investigator with the Washington County Sheriff's Department, said people are asked to call his office as well with any information on the case. The sheriff's department is also investigating Rowland's death. Alton can be reached at 240-313-2185.
Police Putting Murder Puzzle Pieces Together | Local Services Held for Slain Teacher Jeff Rowland
Spirit of Jefferson Farmer's Advocate | Thursday, November 21, 2002
Law enforcement authorities in Jefferson County and Washington County, Md., were trying to piece together the puzzle that resulted in the murder of Jeffrey L. Rowland, a fourth grade teacher at Wright Denny Intermediate School in Charles Town.
Rowland, 43, of 810 Belvedere Heights, Charles Town, was apparently shot to death some time between last Thursday and Friday. His body was discovered by a jogger Friday morning at the Weverton access of the C&O Canal Towpath near the parking area at the end of Keep Tryst Road near Sandy Hook, Md.
Investigators have "been putting facts together," Sheriff Boober told The Spirit Tuesday afternoon.
“Both our department and the Washington County Sheriff's Department have been conducting interviews and thoroughly searching records in order to shed new light on what happened," Boober emphasized.
Boober said the two investigating agencies have yet to meet in person to compare facts, but have been talking by telephone several times a day.
"There's a lot going on here and we have to be thorough in what we are looking for," the sheriff said.
Earlier reports indicated that a suspect in the murder was being sought, but have since indicated that the individual is primarily a material witness. The person being sought was a close friend of Rowland's.
Boober noted that the individual being sought disappeared after Rowland was shot to death on Thursday night.
Rowland was last seen alive Thursday shortly after 6 p.m. at a 7-Eleven on Route 340 at Jefferson Avenue. A witness who saw Rowland believed he was waiting for someone at the convenience store. Deputies are trying to determine Rowland's movements between the time he left school last Thursday at 4:30 p.m. and the time he was killed later that night.
The most likely motive for the murder at this point, according to investigators, is robbery. Boober said the victim's wallet was missing from the scene.
Members of the Washington County Sheriffs Department re-visited the scene where the body was found Monday and collected additional evidence.
Rowland, who taught school at Wright Denny Intermediate for 22 years, was the caregiver for his parents, Francis J. and Violet Ballenger Rowland.
Obituary | JEFFREY L. ROWLAND
Spirit of Jefferson Farmer's Advocate | Thursday, November 21, 2002
Jeffrey Lewis Rowland, 43, of 810 Belvedere Heights, Charles Town, died Thursday, November 14, in Knoxville, Md.
Born April 25, 1959, in Ranson, he was the son of and caregiver for Francis J. and Violet Ballenger Rowland of Charles Town.
He was a graduate of Shepherd College.
He was a fourth-grade teacher at Wright Denny Elementary School for 22 years. Formerly, he was employed by the Cliffside Inn.
He was a member and former choir member of Asbury United Methodist Church.
He was a member of the West Virginia Education Association.
He was a member of Friday Night Bowling League at Shenandoah Lanes.
He was the secretary for Wright Denny Faculty Senate and a former instructor for Weight Watchers in Charles Town.
In addition to his parents, he is survived by a sister, Faye Rodgers, Bolivar; and two nephews.
Services were held Tuesday at 11 a.m. at Asbury United Methodist Church. The Rev. Richard W. Simpson officiated.
Burial was in Edge Hill Cemetery.
Eackles-Spencer Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Memorial donations may be made to Asbury United Methodist Church, 110 W. North St., Charles Town, WV 25414.
Student Government Busy
Spirit of Jefferson Farmer's Advocate | Thursday, May 1, 2003
The Student Government at Wright Denny school has been busy with several service projects this year.
The students organized a toy and food drive during the holiday season, collecting nearly 40 toys for Forgotten Children and 1,400 pounds of food for Community Ministries. During Spirit Week in January, chains were sold and nearly $300 was raised for the Jeffrey Rowland Memorial Scholarship Fund.
Most recently, Student Government organized Operation Shoebox, a drive to collect items to fill shoeboxes for military men and women serving in Operation Iraqi Freedom. Nearly 40 shoeboxes were filled and transported by the National Guard. During the week, students collected items, and a bulletin board in the front hallway was the spot where students hung yellow ribbons.
Student Government officers include David Scott, president; Brandon Truitt, vice president; Misti Darlington, secretary; and Katie Dicken, treasurer. Two students represent each homeroom and sponsors are Mrs. Debra Payne and Mrs. Penny Manion.
Letters to the Editor | Response to Comments
Spirit of Jefferson Farmer's Advocate | Thursday, February 21, 2008
Dear Editor:
I am responding to recent comments concerning the investigation into the death of Mr. Jeffrey Rowland, a teacher at Wright Denny Elementary School in Jefferson County.
During the early evening hours of Thursday, November 14, 2002, Mr. Jeffrey Rowland's life was unlawfully and violently taken by unknown assailant(s) in an area known as Sandy Hook in Washington County, Maryland. Earlier that same evening, Mr. Rowland was observed sitting in his van which was parked in front of a 7-11 convenience store located at the intersection of Jefferson Avenue and Route 9 (currently Route 115) in Jefferson County, West Virginia.
Although the Washington County, Md. Sheriff's Office remains the primary investigative agency in this crime, the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office continues its assistance in law enforcement attempts in solving Mr. Rowland's murder.
Our respective law enforcement agencies have expended a great deal of investigative time, effort and resources in our attempts to solve this most heinous of crimes. To date, our departments continue to actively pursue any and all potential leads, information and evidence afforded to us.
As your sheriff, I am extremely disappointed in the lack of community forthcoming and involvement in this matter. I have no doubt that there are citizens within our communities who have critical information that would be useful in bringing those criminals to justice, who were responsible for the unlawful taking of Mr. Rowland's life.
I would urge anyone having any information concerning Mr. Rowland's death to contact the Washington County, Md. Sheriff’s Office at (240) 313-2121 or the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office at (304) 728-3205 or (304) 725-8484. Confidentiality in this matter can be established with whomever wishes to remain anonymous.
Respectfully,
Everett "Ed" Boober
Sheriff & Treasurer
Jefferson County
Sheriff's Office