Compare
Soldier killed in a war - depending on your viewpoint or even point you are trying to make this is either:
No news at all, in fact to even draw attention to it is playing into our enemies hands.
or, Sad but no big deal except to those who knew him
or, very occasionally (like now if you want to prove a point, or Pat Tillman) a major deal.
Deserters in a war - sorry, but this is likely a fair sized story at any time.