Medal of Sacrifice Act
Officially: “Medal of Sacrifice Act” Read the full text
What it does
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1Short title
This section would let the Act be called the "Medal of Sacrifice Act."
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1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Medal of Sacrifice Act .
2Medal of sacrifice for law enforcement officers and first responders
This section would require the President to issue a medal called the medal of sacrifice, for law enforcement officers and first responders who were killed in the line of duty.
Eligibility: any local, State, or Federal law enforcement officer or first responder who was killed in the line of duty would be eligible for the medal. However, an officer or first responder who is killed in the line of duty would not be eligible if there is an "official finding of wrongdoing" against them. An official finding of wrongdoing means a determination by the officer's or first responder's superior officer or employing law enforcement agency that the officer acted outside the scope of their duties or not in line with the agency's official policies or procedures. When there is an official finding of wrongdoing, the Commission described below would investigate the circumstances of the officer's or first responder's death, including considering any findings made by the local, State, or Federal agency involved, and would make the final decision on whether that officer or first responder is eligible for the medal.
The section would create a Commission on the medal of sacrifice for law enforcement officers and first responders. The President would establish the Commission and, not later than 150 days after this Act becomes law, would appoint 12 members to it. Members would have to be drawn from law enforcement officers, first responders, and representatives of organizations knowledgeable about law enforcement. Members would serve 5-year terms and could serve up to two terms, whether back-to-back or not; the President would appoint replacements to fill any vacancies that occur. Commission members would not be paid for serving.
The Commission would be responsible for: advising on the design of the medal; promoting the medal's establishment; deciding how the medal is presented; and making the final eligibility determinations in wrongdoing cases described above.
The Commission would be required to award the medal of sacrifice to three named law enforcement officers: Deputy Ralph "Butch" Waller (Badge #8434), Deputy Ignacio "Dan" Diaz (Badge #7637), and Deputy Luis Paez (Badge #3882).
The Commission would stop existing on the date the President determines it has completed each responsibility under paragraph (4) of this subsection, as stated in the text.
The section also spells out a detailed design for the medal. It would be shaped like a modified quatrefoil (four rounded lobes) extending from a central octagon, and would use design elements from the Great Seal of the United States as redesigned by Tiffany & Co in 1885. It would show an American eagle carrying a shield colored silver-white, with a red band between three blue lions standing on their hind legs, plus additional small silver-white chevron (V-shaped) bands. Above the shield, a crest would show a gold coronet topped by a blue two-tailed lion standing on its hind legs and holding a flaming gold torch, plus the motto "Integritas." Around the central seal there would be 47 star shapes alternating with three lions standing on their hind legs, along with four chevron bands. The word "SACRIFICE" would be inscribed at the bottom of the design, and three oak leaves would also appear on the front, symbolizing the national tree of the United States and representing strength, resilience, and honor for the families and widows of the fallen. The back of the medal would be sandblasted and engraved with the names of the fallen. The medal would hang from a ribbon that is either blue or red depending on which fallen hero is being honored, with the ribbon loop attached to the medal by hand soldering. The medal would be made of Ag925 silver (92.5% silver) plated with 24-karat gold vermeil measuring 2.5 microns thick, would weigh about 63 grams, and would measure 2.25 inches across.
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2. Medal of sacrifice for law enforcement officers and first responders (a) Medal of sacrifice for law enforcement officers and first responders 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, 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, 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, or Federal agency with respect to the officer’s or responder’s death. 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) 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) Commission on medal of sacrifice for law enforcement officers and first responders (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) 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; and (D) make any final determination necessary pursuant to subsection (b)(2)(B). (6) Initial award The Commission shall award the following law enforcement officers the medal of sacrifice: (A) Deputy Ralph Butch Waller (Badge #8434); (B) Deputy Ignacio Dan Diaz (Badge #7637); and (C) Deputy Luis Paez (Badge #3882). (7) Sunset The Commission shall cease to exist on the date on which the President determines that the Commission has completed each responsibility under paragraph (4). (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 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.
Where it is
In the House.