Finalist in AMW All-Star Contest

Fredericksburg, VA Cop Becomes Finalist in AMWAll-Star Contest


April 8, 2009 – A police officer from Fredericksburg, Virginia whose quick thinking helped end a tense and violent confrontation has been chosen by the public as the latest finalist in the 2009 America’s Most Wanted All-Star Contest, sponsored by Sprint. The iconic crime-fighting TV show’s contest recognizes outstanding achievements by first responders nationwide.


While on evening patrol of June 6, 2008, Officer Joe Young became was called to a domestic violence call involving an armed suspect. As another officer pursued the gun man, Officer Young decided to distract the suspect by opening the door of his cruiser with the radio blaring. It worked – and Officer Young was then able to place himself between the armed suspect and the entrance to his intended victim’s apartment. As the suspect attempted to return to the apartment, Officer Young confronted him and gunshots were exchanged. The suspect was wounded in the gun battle, and then took his own life. It was later discovered that the suspect had killed another officer.


Joe Young received the Officer of the Year award from the Fredericksburg Police Department for his heroic actions that day, and he and the slain officer were awarded the department’s first-ever Medals of Honor.


Officer Joe Young becomes the seventh of eight weekly finalists chosen by the public in this year’s AMW All-Star Contest. Any first responder, such as police, firefighter or EMT, is eligible for the contest, and any member of the public can vote for their favorite first responder online at AMW.com.


Each weekly finalist will be profiled on America’s Most Wanted (Saturdays, 9:00-10:00PM ET/PT on FOX). Through their online votes, the public will choose the grand-prize winner. In May, AMW Host John Walsh will present the 2009 AMW All-Star winner with a check for $10,000 at the NASCAR SPRINT Cup Series™ All-Star Challenge at Lowe’s Motor Speedway in Charlotte, North Carolina.


Members of the public may vote for their favorite first responder once a day, every day. Finalist voting runs through April 12, and the grand-prize winner voting will run April 16-May 5.