Senior Jay Lattimore is passionate about criminal justice (his major) and originally from Auburn.

The same is true of John Walsh, host of America’s Most Wanted, who Lattimore got to meet while conducting his senior internship with the television program that seeks to capture fugitives and find missing persons.

“Internships are available to those who are studying criminal justice, communications, production, graphics, and public relations,” said Lattimore. “I sent in a resume and received a call.”

The show is taped in Washington, D.C., and aired Saturdays at 9 p.m. on FOX.

“On Saturday nights, we were accompanied by agents whose cases were being aired,” said Lattimore. “These ranged from U.S.Marshalls to FBI and Secret Service agents.”

Lattimore was responsible for organizing case files for fugitives and missing people aired weekly on the show.

He also “worked the hotline, where I took tips from anonymous callers to gain as much information as possible, and then forwarded the case file to the officer who was working the case.

“Many times, we would receive a call back from the agent to clarify and to get our insight on the caller,” said Lattimore. “Saturday nights could consist of hundreds of callers and tips. Tips were also sent in through mail and e-mail.”

In addition, Lattimore had the opportunity “to overlook and give a hand to producers, camera crews and other groups within the office.” He was also able to speak with John Walsh.

“I took advantage of picking their brains to gain some inside advice on their jobs, which I would love to have some day,” said Lattimore. “Talking to callers and trying to get as much information as possible, and ruling out the good tips from the bad tips, are experiences I’m sure will help out in the future.”

He also believes that the contacts he made in the D.C. area “are something that may benefit me in the years to come.”

-- Tanya Cornell-Kestler