Medal of Sacrifice Act

Summary#

This Act creates a Medal of Sacrifice that the President will issue to law enforcement officers and first responders who were killed in the line of duty. It sets rules for who can get the medal, creates a Commission to manage the medal program, and describes the medal's design and materials. The Act also names three initial recipients.

What it means for you#

  • Who is eligible: Local, State, Tribal, territorial, and Federal law enforcement officers and first responders killed in the line of duty are eligible.
  • Exception: A person who is subject to an "official finding of wrongdoing" is not eligible. That means a superior officer or the employing agency found the person acted outside their duties or not according to agency policy.
  • Commission role: The President must create a 12-member Commission within 150 days. Members must be law enforcement officers, first responders, or representatives of related organizations. Members serve 5-year terms and may serve up to two terms. They are unpaid. The Commission will advise on medal design, promote the medal, decide how it is presented, set eligibility criteria, and make final eligibility decisions when there is an official finding of wrongdoing. The Commission will stop existing when the President determines it has finished its duties.
  • Initial awards: The Act lists three initial awardees: Deputy Ralph "Butch" Waller (Badge #8434), Deputy Ignacio "Dan" Diaz (Badge #7637), and Deputy Luis Paez (Badge #3882).
  • Medal details: The medal is described as a modified quatrefoil with U.S. heraldic elements and the motto "Integritas." It includes the word "SACRIFICE," three oak leaves, and the names of the fallen on the reverse. The ribbon may be Azure or Gules. The medal is specified as Silver Ag925 with 24k gold vermeil, about 63 grams, 2.25 inches in diameter, with 2.5 micron plating. The ribbon bail is attached by hand soldering.

Expenses#

No publicly available information on costs, appropriations, or funding for the Commission, production of medals, or administration of the program is included in the provided text.

Proponents' View#

No publicly available information in the provided text about supporters' statements, reasons, or intended benefits beyond the Act's provisions.

Opponents' View#

No publicly available information in the provided text about objections, concerns, or opposing views.