WEST CHESTER — Some people’s hearts have a calling to protect the innocent from harm. They are heroes.
There are heroes in this world and here at home in Chester County. They confront criminals without hesitation to protect the innocent. They don’t waiver. They don’t back down. They fight for justice.
And they never give up.
Chester County Detective Sergeant Joseph Walton is a hero. And recently the community celebrated his valor when he accepted the John J. Crane Child Advocacy Award from the Crime Victims’ Center of Chester County.
The award presentation took place during the Crime Victims’ Center of Chester County’s Show of Love Celebration at the Chester County History Center in West Chester on Feb. 5.
The nonprofit’s board of directors established the award in 1998 in tribute to the late John Crane, a Chester County prosecutor, who was a nationally recognized advocate for crime victims — especially children, as previously reported.
Walton began his career in law enforcement in the 1990s. He pivoted to the County Detectives from the Phoenixville Police Department in the early 2000s.
Today Walton runs the Chester County Children’s Advocacy Center located in the Chester County District Attorney’s Office in the Justice Center, t 201 West Market Street, West Chester. The facility is open 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.
In his leadership role of advocacy for children and stopping crimes, he’s made a difference.
“We are lucky to have Detective Walton’s expertise and professionalism in the Chester County Detectives. Simply put, his work has made Chester County a safer community,” said Chester County District Attorney Christopher de Barrena-Sarobe on Wednesday.
Walton’s substantial experience includes protecting the community, conducting thorough investigations, and working collaboratively with partner agencies to secure justice for crime victims, according to a spokesperson for the DA’s office.
After Walton joined the Chester County Detectives, he started immediately in the Major Case Unit and the Terrorism Task Force before joining the Forensics Unit in 2003, the spokesperson said. In 2010, Walton volunteered to assist the Child Abuse Unit while working in forensics, and by 2020, he was promoted to sergeant of the Child Abuse and Computer Forensics Units.
“Throughout his career, Detective Walton has had a substantial background in protecting the community, conducting thorough investigations, and working collaboratively with partner agencies to secure justice for crime victims,” the spokesperson said.
Chris Zaccarelli, CVC chief executive director, said Walton connects victims and their families with the nonprofit’s support team, something he starting doing back in the 1990s while still working as a Phoenixville police officer.
Mandy Watson, a longtime CVC advocate, nominated Walton for the John J. Crane Child Advocacy Award.
The CVC assisted 2,297 crime victims last year.
Zaccarelli said Walton’s work connects victims and their families with key resources and support services.
“We would like everyone to listen and believe children,” she said.
Besides his leadership role running the Chester County Child Advocacy Center, Walton is also a Child Abuse Unit supervisor.
Chief Chester County Detective David Sassa said that each day Walton works extremely hard.
“He consistently puts victims first, ensuring that they and their families receive the support they need while pursuing justice,” Sassa said.
