Wheelchair-bound Arizona Detective Chosen As Finalist in AMW All-Star Contest

William Weigt didn't let a suspect's bullet that paralyzed him from the waist down stop him from being a cop. And his inspiring story has prompted voters from around the nation to select him as a finalist in the 2009 America's Most Wanted All-Star Contest, sponsored by Sprint. The contest recognizes outstanding achievements by first responders nationwide.

Detective Weigt, of the Peoria, Arizona Police Department, was shot in 2005, while conducting a high-risk stop after a drug-related shooting. He awoke three days later to learn that he'd be in a wheelchair for the rest of his life. Despite that, he has continued to make a difference in his community, and continues to work as a detective investigator in the robbery unit. In addition, he's coordinated many fundraising events for local officers who died in the line of duty, and he's been a motivational speaker for schools and other organizations. William Weigt is also a youth football coach, and brought his team to the national championships in 2007.

Detective Weigt becomes the eighth and final weekly finalist chosen by the public in this year's AMW All-Star Contest. Any first responder, such as police, firefighter or EMT, was eligible, and hundreds were nominated. Each weekly finalist will be profiled on America's Most Wanted (Saturdays, 9:00-10:00 PM ET/PT on FOX).

With all of the finalists in place, public voting is set to begin for this year's Grand Prize Winner: the 2009 AMW All-Star. In May, AMW Host John Walsh will present the 2009 Grand Prize 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.

Grand Prize Winner voting starts April 16, and members of the public may vote once a day, every day, at the America's Most Wanted website, www.amw.com, or by text message from Sprint phones (details on how to vote by text message are available at the AMW website and standard text messaging charges apply). Voting for the Grand Prize winner closes on May 4. The winner will be announced shortly thereafter, and will be featured in an episode of America's Most Wanted to air Saturday, May 23, 2009.