The Academy of Television Arts & Sciences board voted this week to give Walsh its Governors Award at the Creative Arts Emmys on Sept. 10 in Los Angeles. The honor goes to a person or organization that makes a substantial impact or demonstrates an extraordinary use of television.
Walsh became a crime-fighting activist after his 6-year-old son, Adam, was kidnapped and killed in 1981. "America's Most Wanted" publicized fugitives and has claimed responsibility for nearly 1,200 arrests since its 1988 premiere. Fox canceled the show this spring.
Television academy chairman and CEO John Shaffner says the show is an example of how TV can be used to convey an important message.
