For years, Dan Miller fought his demons.

He didn't want to talk with his friends about his troubles for fear of being labeled or treated differently. He was a Marine and a cop, after all.

On Wednesday, Miller was one of seven celebrating their graduation from Will County's veterans court program. The program, which began in 2012, aims to help veterans facing criminal charges get their lives back on track.

County officials Wednesday thanked the latest graduating class for their service and said they were glad to be able to provide a helping hand when they took a wrong turn.

Miller, a retired Oak Lawn police officer, found his way in the program in late 2014. The 48-year-old Manhattan man faced DUI and aggravated assault charges stemming from an incident in March of 2014.

“I was scared, tired, and I wanted to quit,” Miller said during Wednesday's graduation program. “I came to veterans court ... and I realized it was not the end of the road.”

All seven graduates went through an intensive program involving counseling, drug testing and regular visits with Will County Judge Carla Alessio Policandriotes, who presides over veterans court. Several counties across the state, including DuPage and Cook, have similar programs. The program is open to veterans who have been honorably or generally discharged from service.

“I'm glad I got the chance to go to veterans court,” said Miller. “I think I had to go through this for me to find a new normal for my life.”

In the last two years, Miller has learned he suffered a traumatic brain injury during one of his three tours of duty in Iraq. He said he also has been treated for post traumatic stress disorder, something he only came to grips with after the 2014 incident.

Miller, who took medical retirement from the Oak Lawn Police Department last year, now works with the Wounded Warrior Project and travels the country to speak to veterans.

Other graduates shared similar stories of finding their way through the court program.

Kevin Watkins, a Marine veteran, landed in veterans court on drug charges.

The 55-year-old Romeoville resident has been clean for two years and four days, but before veterans court he had a 30-year-old drug habit. Before his arrest, Watkins said he prayed to God asking for help.

“I'm getting my life back and I have a purpose in life again,” he said after graduation. “Drugs and alcohol took all that away.”

Since its inception in 2012, the Will County veterans court program has had 18 veterans graduate. Participants in Wednesday's graduation ranged in age from their late 20s to late 60s.

Alicia Fabbre is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.