[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 3497 Enrolled Bill (ENR)]
H.R.3497
One Hundred Nineteenth Congress
of the
United States of America
AT THE SECOND SESSION
Begun and held at the City of Washington on Saturday,
the third day of January, two thousand and twenty-six
An Act
To establish a medal of service for law enforcement officers and first
responders.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Medal of Sacrifice Act of 2025''.
SEC. 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, 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. 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;
(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) 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 (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 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.
Speaker of the House of Representatives.
Vice President of the United States and
President of the Senate.