Android ADB stop application command like “force-stop” for non rooted device

The first way
Needs root

Use kill:

adb shell ps => Will list all running processes on the device and their process ids
adb shell kill <PID> => Instead of <PID> use process id of your application

The second way
In Eclipse open DDMS perspective.
In Devices view you will find all running processes.
Choose the process and click on Stop.

The third way
It will kill only background process of an application.

adb shell am kill [options] <PACKAGE> => Kill all processes associated with (the app's package name). This command kills only processes that are safe to kill and that will not impact the user experience.
Options are:

--user | all | current: Specify user whose processes to kill; all users if not specified.

The fourth way
Needs root

adb shell pm disable <PACKAGE> => Disable the given package or component (written as "package/class").

The fifth way
Note that run-as is only supported for apps that are signed with debug keys.

run-as <package-name> kill <pid>

The sixth way
Introduced in Honeycomb

adb shell am force-stop <PACKAGE> => Force stop everything associated with (the app's package name).

P.S.: I know that the sixth method didn't work for you, but I think that it's important to add this method to the list, so everyone will know it.