John and Reve Walsh could have gone into isolation and mourned the loss of their six-year-old son, Adam, after he was abducted from a Sears store in Hollywood, Fla., in July 1981 and murdered. His partial remains were found two weeks later in an Indian River County canal by two fishermen.
Instead the Walshes became powerful advocates for other crime victims and their families and, especially, for missing and abused children.
They created the nonprofit Adam Walsh Child Resource Center, which later merged with the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, co-founded by John Walsh. They were also instrumental in passing the federal Missing Children Act of 1982 and the Missing Children's Assistance Act of 1984.
In 1988, though John Walsh had no experience in TV, he was nationally known for his anti-crime advocacy and was hired by Fox television as the host of "America's Most Wanted." The show reported on unsolved crimes and sought the public's help in identifying criminal fugitives. During its 23-year run on Saturday evenings, it has contributed to more than 1,100 captures and finding dozens of missing children.
Despite the success of "America's Most Wanted" in bringing criminals to justice and helping to bring closure to the families of crime victims and the passionate support of the show's core audience, Fox recently announced cancellation of the show, the longest-running show in Fox history.
In 1996, Fox also announced the show's cancellation, but a massive public outcry, including from governors and law enforcement officers, persuaded Fox to continue the show.
This time may be different. Michael P. Kortan, a spokesman for the FBI, seemed to indicate as much in a release, saying, "Few television shows have aired for so long. Even fewer have provided such a worthy public service, or have made such a lasting impact on the American people. John and his team have always understood the power of the people in helping to bring criminals to justice. Their tenacity, their unwavering dedication to victims of crime and violence, and their commitment to law enforcement will be missed."
Fox has indicated that it may have Walsh do two-hour specials four times each year. That may not be sufficient for ardent supporters of the show. But, it's clear that whatever Fox ultimately does, Walsh will not slow his efforts in fighting crime and supporting victims.
While "America's Most Wanted" brought fugitives to justice at an incredible rate of about one per week, the Walsh family did not get justice in the death of their son. In December 2008, law enforcement closed the case on Adam's murder, saying he had been murdered by serial killer Ottis Toole, who was never charged in the crime and had died 12 years earlier in jail. John Walsh has said he is satisfied that Toole, indeed, was his son's killer.
John and Reve Walsh have left more than a legacy of crime fighting through the TV show, through child advocacy programs and through laws. The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children has greatly raised awareness about children missing in America. And, most importantly, has assisted law enforcement in the recovery of more than 100,000 missing children.
No one can remove the pain of the Walshes with the loss of Adam. But, a nation is grateful for their efforts in helping other children in the name of Adam and in his memory.
The article was published by Treasure Coast Newspapers and distributed by Scripps Howard News Service (www.scrippsnews.com).