Virginia State Police teamed up with law enforcement across the country Tuesday to observe January 13 as Amber Alert Awareness Day.

Tuesday is the 13th anniversary of the 1996 abduction and murder of nine-year-old Amber Hagerman.

Since 2002, there have been 20 Amber Alerts in Virginia. Nationwide, more than 430 children have been safely returned home as a result of the system.

"It's a vital link between the law enforcement and the media. The TV and the radio station can get out the information quickly. The type of suspect or type of people that we are looking for and we can get the citizens out here everywhere looking for something," says Sgt. Bryan Hutcheson.

Fifth graders across the state can also compete in a National Missing Children's Day poster contest that is being sponsored by the Department of Justice.