PTSD Iraq Veteran proves help better than lockup

Local Iraq War Vet Makes History When U.S. Attorney Decides Against Prosecution
Mar 29, 2012

Written by
Scott Brown

HAMBURG, N.Y. - Over the past ten years, brave Western New Yorkers have sacrificed their lives, and others their mental health, while fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan.

One local veteran, Britten Walker, came home very troubled and did some things he never would have done but for the impact his service had on him.

Federal prosecutors recognizing that fact, treated him not as a criminal, but instead with compassion.

To say that Britten Walker has come a long way over the past few years is a huge understatement.

Today he's a talented artist preparing for a showing of his work.

And a dean's list student at ECC.

But except for a decision by U.S. Attorney William Hochul, a guy known for locking people up, Britten Walker could have been serving up ten years in prison.

We'll get to what turned out to be that life changing moment for Britten Walker in a minute, but first the back story of what led him there.

"The region we were in they called it the 'Triangle Of Death,'" said Walker.

Back in 2006 and 2007, Britten was a sergeant in the infantry serving in Iraq during a a period of very heavy fighting.
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