Adam Walsh's murder is solved for family and nation

FOR nearly three decades, John and Revé Walsh left no stone unturned trying to find out who abducted their 6-year-old son from a shopping mall and decapitated him. Now they know.

Florida police say the long-ago confessions of a serial killer were accurate. Ottis Toole was serving five life sentences in prison when he died 12 years ago. Before his death, he told members of his family he killed Adam Walsh.

The loss of a child is an unthinkable horror. The strongest family could wither from the pain. But the Walshes turned their grief into an activism that spawned numerous improvements in law enforcement and how missing children cases are handled. For example, when Adam Walsh disappeared, there were databases on stolen cars, stolen guns and just about everything but abducted children.

Efforts today include placing missing children's faces on milk cartons, every state participating in fingerprinting programs, and schools and stores have increased security. There is a national center, database and toll-free line devoted to missing children.

John Walsh hosted "America's Most Wanted," a show that week after week galvanized Americans to help find criminals. It must have been agony to help solve cases and gain for families a sense of resolution while living with the unknown surrounding his son's murder.

Adam Walsh's case is now solved. His parents and siblings deserved this closure. They showed Americans how to channel pain into making a difference.