John Walsh, the host and creator of Fox's long-running series "America's Most Wanted," is set to receive the Governors Award at the 2011 Creative Arts Emmy Awards on Sept. 10 at the Nokia Theatre.
The Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Board of Governors made the announcement Tuesday morning.
"John Walsh has dedicated his life to the betterment of society, and while doing so has used television in an inventive and extraordinary way," said John Shaffner, chairman and chief executive of the televison academy, in a statement Tuesday.
"American's Most Wanted" has helped law enforcement agencies capture about 1,500 fugitives and reunited more than 50 missing children with their families since the series began in 1988. Walsh became a crime fighter and victims' advocate after his only child, Adam, was kidnapped from a mall near his home in Hollywood, Fla., in 1981. Adam's body was found two weeks later.
The series was canceled in May after 23 seasons because of rising production costs.