PTSD On Trial:Iraq Veteran's Dad Blames Arrest on War Stress

Officer's Dad Blames Arrest On War Stress
Corrections Officer Jailed After Crash, Chase

A county corrections officer was arrested on suspicion of running down deer and fleeing from law enforcement officers, but Matthew Hagen's family and friends said his behavior was a result of what happened to him in Iraq.

"What he did was wrong," said his father, Daniel Hagen. "We're not debating that. But there is an explanation."

Matthew Hagen's family said his behavior isn't characteristic of the decorated military man and committed corrections officer they know.

Daniel Hagan said his son has been struggling to overcome post-traumatic stress disorder after returning from Iraq 21 months ago.

"His job classification was a .50-caliber sniper," Daniel Hagen said. "Matthew came back from Iraq a different individual than when he left."

He said he knew that his son was experiencing post-traumatic stress.

"He saw things and heard things, and he still relives some of those things," Daniel Hagen said.

Sgt. Dustin Bray, one of Matthew Hagen's closest friends, said he saw signs of post-traumatic stress, too. He spoke to KETV News Watch 7 from Fort Stewart, Ga.

"The hardest thing he's ever seen, the hardest thing he's ever done is watch his buddy die," said Bray.

Matthew Hagen's friends and family said he tried to ignore his feelings. They said his work as a corrections officer, Army reservist and husband overloaded his plate.
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