John Walsh is the Emmy®-winning, longtime host and executive producer of America’s Most Wanted – the groundbreaking reality program that helped law enforcement capture 1,198 dangerous fugitives and brought home more than 50 missing children since its debut in 1988.

John never sought the role of crime fighter and victims’ advocate, but it has been his life’s mission since July 27, 1981 – the day his 6-year-old child, Adam, was abducted from a shopping mall near his home in Hollywood, Florida. Adam was found murdered two weeks later. The case remained unsolved for 27 years. But in December 2008, after a long investigation, Adam’s case was finally closed.

The Walshes’ experience showed them that the nation was in desperate need of a coordinated national response to the issues of missing and sexually exploited children. Together, they founded the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children in 1984, after President Ronald Reagan signed the “Missing Children’s Assistance Act.” The Walshes remain very active with NCMEC and continue to fight for victims’ rights and for justice throughout the United States and wherever children or crime victims are in need.