John Walsh, the force behind the long-running series "America's Most Wanted," will be honored by the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences with its Governors Award, the organization announced Monday.

Walsh, who launched "America's Most Wanted" in 1988, following the abduction and murder of his son Adam, will receive the award at the 2011 Creative Arts Emmy Awards ceremony Sept. 10.

Praising Walsh's "inventive and extraordinary" method of harnessing television to catch criminals, Television Academy chairman-CEO John Shaffner noted, "His contribution to society goes far beyond just hosting a hit TV show, but sets a prime example of how television can be used to convey an important message.”

To date, "America's Most Wanted" has led to the capture of more than 1,500 fugitives, as well of the return of more than 50 missing children.

In May, Fox announced [5] that it was canceling "America's Most Wanted" after 23 seasons, opting to air a handful of two-hour specials this upcoming season rather than keep the series in regular rotation.