Medal of Sacrifice Act

[119th Congress Public Law 94]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]

[[Page 829]]

                     MEDAL OF SACRIFICE ACT OF 2025

[[Page 140 STAT. 830]]

Public Law 119-94
119th Congress

                                 An Act

 To establish a medal of service for law enforcement officers and first
           responders. <<NOTE: May 28, 2026 -  [H.R. 3497]>>

    Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled, <<NOTE: Medal of
Sacrifice Act of 2025.>>
SECTION 1. <<NOTE: 34 USC 10101 note.>> SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Medal of Sacrifice Act of 2025''.
SEC. 2. <<NOTE: 34 USC 51101.>> MEDAL OF SACRIFICE FOR LAW
                    ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS AND FIRST RESPONDERS.

    (a) Medal of Sacrifice for Law Enforcement Officers and First
Responders.-- <<NOTE: President.>> The President shall issue a medal of
sacrifice for law enforcement officers and first responders who were
killed in the line of duty.

    (b) Eligibility.--
            (1) In general.--A local, State, Tribal, territorial, or
        Federal law enforcement officer or first responder who was
        killed in the line of duty shall be eligible for the medal of
        sacrifice established under subsection (a).
            (2) Exception.--
                    (A) In general.--A local, State, Tribal,
                territorial, or Federal law enforcement officer or first
                responder who is killed in the line of duty, but who is
                subject to an official finding of wrongdoing, shall not
                be eligible for the medal of sacrifice established under
                subsection (a).
                    (B) Investigation.--In the case of an official
                finding of wrongdoing, the Commission established under
                subsection (c) shall investigate the circumstances
                surrounding the law enforcement officer's or first
                responder's cause of death, including considering any
                findings by the local, State, Tribal, territorial, or
                Federal agency with respect to the officer's or
                responder's death. <<NOTE: Determination.>> The
                Commission established under subsection (c) shall make a
                final determination as to the officer's eligibility for
                the medal established under subsection (a).
                    (C) <<NOTE: Definition.>> Official finding of
                wrongdoing.--In this paragraph, the term ``official
                finding of wrongdoing'' means a determination by the law
                enforcement officer's or first responders' superior
                officer or employing law agency that the officer acted
                outside of the scope of their duties or not in
                accordance with the agency's official policies or
                procedures.

    (c) <<NOTE: President.>> Commission on Medal of Sacrifice for Law
Enforcement Officers and First Responders.--

[[Page 140 STAT. 831]]

            (1) Establishment.--The President shall establish a
        Commission on the medal of sacrifice for law enforcement
        officers and first responders (hereinafter known as the
        ``Commission'').
            (2) <<NOTE: Deadline.>> Appointment.--Not later than 150
        days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the President
        shall appoint 12 members of the Commission. Such members shall
        be law enforcement officers, first responders, and
        representatives of organizations knowledgeable about law
        enforcement.
            (3) Term.--Members of the Commission shall be appointed for
        a term of 5 years and shall be eligible to serve up to two
        terms, either consecutively or non-consecutively. The President
        shall make appointments to fill such vacancies as may occur on
        the Board.
            (4) Prohibition on payment.--Members shall not be paid for
        serving on the Commission.
            (5) Responsibilities.--The Commission shall--
                    (A) advise the Commission on the design of the medal
                of sacrifice for law enforcement officers and first
                responders;
                    (B) promote the establishment of the medal of
                sacrifice for law enforcement officers and first
                responders;
                    (C) determine how the medal of sacrifice for law
                enforcement officers and first responders shall be
                presented;
                    (D) make any final determination necessary pursuant
                to subsection (b)(2)(B); and
                    (E) advise the President regarding criteria for
                assessing eligibility pursuant to subsection (b).
            (6) Initial award.--The Commission shall award the following
        law enforcement officers the medal of sacrifice:
                    (A) <<NOTE: Ralph ``Butch'' Waller.>> Deputy Ralph
                ``Butch'' Waller (Badge #8434);
                    (B) <<NOTE: Ingnacio ``Dan'' Diaz.>> Deputy Ignacio
                ``Dan'' Diaz (Badge #7637); and
                    (C) <<NOTE: Luis Paez.>> Deputy Luis Paez (Badge
                #3882).
            (7) <<NOTE: Determination.>> Sunset.--The Commission shall
        cease to exist on the date on which the President determines
        that the Commission has completed each responsibility under
        paragraph (5).

    (d) Description.--The medal of sacrifice for law enforcement
officers and first responders shall be a modified quatrefoil, with
rounded lobes extending from a central octagon. The field incorporates
features of the Great Seal of the United States, redesigned by Tiffany &
Co in 1885. The American eagle is charged with a coat of arms as a
shield, argent, on a chevron gules between three lions rampant azure, as
many chevronels argent; the crest, out of a coronet or, a double-tailed
lion rampant azure, holding in its dexter paw a torch or enflamed
proper; and ``Integritas'' included as a motto. Surrounding the seal are
mullets, 47 in number, alternating with three rampant lions and
incorporating four chevrons. In base, the word ``SACRIFICE'' is
inscribed. In dexter base, three oak leaves are placed, symbolizing the
national tree of the U.S., representing strength, resilience, and
honoring the families and widows of the fallen. The reverse of the medal
is sandblasted and bears an engraving of the names of the fallen heroes.
The medal is suspended from a ribbon, either Azure or Gules depending on
the fallen hero being honored. The ribbon bail is prepared and attached
by hand soldering to the back of the medal. The medal is crafted from
Silver Ag925 with 24k Gold

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Vermeil, with a weight of approximately 63 grams. It has a diameter of
2.25 inches. The Vermeil plating has a thickness of 2.5 microns. The
medal combines national symbols with heraldic elements to represent the
sacrifice of the fallen deputies. The use of Silver and Gold signifies
the value and honor associated with their service.

    Approved May 28, 2026.

LEGISLATIVE HISTORY--H.R. 3497:
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HOUSE REPORTS: No. 119-466 (Comm. on the Judiciary).
CONGRESSIONAL RECORD, Vol. 172 (2026):
            Feb. 2, considered and passed House.
            May 11, considered and passed Senate.

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