Medal of Sacrifice for Law Enforcement Officers and First Responders
Section 2 · Sec. 2 ·
What this chapter is about
This part makes a new medal. It goes to police and rescue workers who died on the job. It sets up a group of 12 people to help run it. It also says what the medal looks like.
The document says “shall”Who acts: PresidentHow: statuteSec. 2 in the PDF
What the document says
“The President shall issue a medal of sacrifice for law enforcement officers and first responders who were killed in the line of duty.”
Subsection (a) directs the President to issue a medal of sacrifice for law enforcement officers and first responders killed in the line of duty. The Act creates the medal itself and amends no existing statute. Everything else in the section turns on this medal.
What the document actually says
“The President shall issue a medal of sacrifice for law enforcement officers and first responders who were killed in the line of duty.”
That sentence, in plain words
The President must give out a medal. It is called the medal of sacrifice. It goes to police and rescue workers who died while doing their job.
What this is about
This is the main idea of the law. It makes a new medal. The rest of this part says who can get it, who helps run it, and what it looks like.
No action is recorded against this proposal. That is not evidence that none has been taken, and nobody has yet read it against the record. See what the tracker does not yet cover.
The document says “shall”Who acts: PresidentHow: statuteSec. 2 in the PDF
What the document says
“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).”
Subsection (b)(1) makes eligible any law enforcement officer or first responder killed in the line of duty, whether they served a local, State, Tribal, territorial or Federal agency. The section sets no date before which a death does not count.
What the document actually says
“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).”
That sentence, in plain words
A police officer or rescue worker who died on the job can get this medal. It does not matter who they worked for.
What this is about
The list covers a town, a state, a Tribe, a land the country runs, and the whole country. The law sets no cut off date. So an old death seems to count too.
No action is recorded against this proposal. That is not evidence that none has been taken, and nobody has yet read it against the record. See what the tracker does not yet cover.
The document says “shall not”Who acts: PresidentHow: statuteSec. 2 in the PDF
What the document says
“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).”
Subsection (b)(2)(A) is the one bar the section states. An officer or first responder killed in the line of duty who is subject to an official finding of wrongdoing is not eligible. The term is defined later in the same paragraph.
What the document actually says
“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).”
That sentence, in plain words
One group is left out. If there is a formal finding that the worker did wrong, no medal is given.
What this is about
This is the only thing that shuts someone out. The next rules say who looks into it. The rule after that says what a finding of wrong doing is.
No action is recorded against this proposal. That is not evidence that none has been taken, and nobody has yet read it against the record. See what the tracker does not yet cover.
The document says “shall”Who acts: Commission on the medal of sacrifice for law enforcement officers and first respondersHow: statuteSec. 2 in the PDF
What the document says
“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.”
Subsection (b)(2)(B) directs the Commission set up under subsection (c) to investigate the circumstances of the death whenever there is an official finding of wrongdoing, and to consider the findings of the agency the officer or responder served. The section sets no deadline for the investigation.
What the document actually says
“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.”
That sentence, in plain words
When there is a finding that the worker did wrong, the group must look into how the person died. It must also look at what their own agency found.
What this is about
The group is set up later in this same part. The law does not say how long the group has to look into it.
No action is recorded against this proposal. That is not evidence that none has been taken, and nobody has yet read it against the record. See what the tracker does not yet cover.
The document says “shall”Who acts: Commission on the medal of sacrifice for law enforcement officers and first respondersHow: statuteSec. 2 in the PDF
What the document says
“The Commission established under subsection (c) shall make a final determination as to the officer's eligibility for the medal established under subsection (a).”
The second sentence of subsection (b)(2)(B) gives the Commission the final determination on whether the officer is eligible. The section names no appeal from that determination and no other body that may review it.
What the document actually says
“The Commission established under subsection (c) shall make a final determination as to the officer's eligibility for the medal established under subsection (a).”
That sentence, in plain words
The group makes the last call on whether the person can get the medal.
What this is about
No one above the group is named here. The law does not set up a way to ask again if the answer is no.
No action is recorded against this proposal. That is not evidence that none has been taken, and nobody has yet read it against the record. See what the tracker does not yet cover.
The document says “means”Who acts: CongressHow: statuteSec. 2 in the PDF
What the document says
“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.”
Subsection (b)(2)(C) defines the term for the paragraph it sits in. The finding is one made by the superior officer or the employing agency, and it is a determination that the officer acted outside the scope of their duties, or not in accordance with the agency's policies or procedures. A court is not named.
What the document actually says
“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.”
That sentence, in plain words
A finding of wrong doing means a call made by the worker's boss or their agency. The call is that the worker went outside their duties, or broke agency rules.
What this is about
So the finding comes from inside the workplace. A court is not named here. This meaning is used only in this one rule about who is left out.
No action is recorded against this proposal. That is not evidence that none has been taken, and nobody has yet read it against the record. See what the tracker does not yet cover.
The document says “shall”Who acts: PresidentHow: statuteSec. 2 in the PDF
What the document says
“The President shall establish a Commission on the medal of sacrifice for law enforcement officers and first responders (hereinafter known as the "Commission").”
Subsection (c)(1) directs the President to establish the Commission and gives it the short name used through the rest of the section. The section does not place the Commission inside any department, and sets no deadline for establishing it.
What the document actually says
“The President shall establish a Commission on the medal of sacrifice for law enforcement officers and first responders (hereinafter known as the "Commission").”
That sentence, in plain words
The President must set up a group for this medal. The law calls it the Commission.
What this is about
The law does not put the group inside any part of the government. It also does not say by what date the group must exist.
No action is recorded against this proposal. That is not evidence that none has been taken, and nobody has yet read it against the record. See what the tracker does not yet cover.
The document says “shall”Who acts: PresidentHow: statuteSec. 2 in the PDF
What the document says
“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.”
Subsection (c)(2) sets the size of the Commission at 12 members and requires the President to appoint them within 150 days of enactment. The Act was approved on May 28, 2026, so the 150 days run from that date. The members are to be drawn from law enforcement officers, first responders, and representatives of organizations knowledgeable about law enforcement. The section sets no number from each group.
What the document actually says
“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.”
That sentence, in plain words
The President must pick 12 people for the group. He must do it within 150 days of the day this law starts. They must be police, rescue workers, or people from groups that know police work.
What this is about
The law began on May 28, 2026. So the 150 days run from that day. The law does not say how many come from each of the three kinds.
No action is recorded against this proposal. That is not evidence that none has been taken, and nobody has yet read it against the record. See what the tracker does not yet cover.
The document says “shall”Who acts: PresidentHow: statuteSec. 2 in the PDF
What the document says
“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.”
Subsection (c)(3) sets a term of 5 years, allows a member to serve up to two terms whether or not they run back to back, and gives the President the appointments that fill vacancies. The second sentence uses the word Board, where the rest of the section uses Commission.
What the document actually says
“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.”
That sentence, in plain words
Each member serves for 5 years. A member may serve two terms. The two terms need not run back to back. The President fills any seat that opens up.
What this is about
The last line uses the word Board. The rest of this part uses the word Commission. The law is quoted here as it is printed.
No action is recorded against this proposal. That is not evidence that none has been taken, and nobody has yet read it against the record. See what the tracker does not yet cover.
The document says “shall not”Who acts: PresidentHow: statuteSec. 2 in the PDF
What the document says
“Members shall not be paid for serving on the Commission.”
Subsection (c)(4) bars payment to members for their service on the Commission. The section says nothing about travel or other expenses.
What the document actually says
“Members shall not be paid for serving on the Commission.”
That sentence, in plain words
The people on the group are not paid for the work.
What this is about
The law says nothing about travel costs or other costs. It only says there is no pay for the job itself.
No action is recorded against this proposal. That is not evidence that none has been taken, and nobody has yet read it against the record. See what the tracker does not yet cover.
The document says “shall”Who acts: Commission on the medal of sacrifice for law enforcement officers and first respondersHow: statuteSec. 2 in the PDF
What the document says
“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).”
Subsection (c)(5) lists five duties: advising on the design, promoting the establishment of the medal, determining how it is presented, making the final determinations required by subsection (b)(2)(B), and advising the President on criteria for eligibility. The first duty is printed as advising the Commission, which is the body given the duty. The list also fixes when the Commission ends, because subsection (c)(7) turns on its completion.
What the document actually says
“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).”
That sentence, in plain words
The group has five jobs. It helps with the look of the medal. It tells people about the medal. It decides how the medal is handed over. It makes the final calls named above. It gives the President advice on who should get one.
What this is about
The first job is printed as advising the Commission. That is the same group being given the job. The site quotes the law as printed. This list also matters for the end of the group.
No action is recorded against this proposal. That is not evidence that none has been taken, and nobody has yet read it against the record. See what the tracker does not yet cover.
The document says “shall”Who acts: Commission on the medal of sacrifice for law enforcement officers and first respondersHow: statuteSec. 2 in the PDF
What the document says
“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).”
Subsection (c)(6) names three deputies, with their badge numbers, who the Commission is to award the medal of sacrifice. The section gives no other detail about them, and the site records none, because the law is the only document indexed here.
What the document actually says
“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).”
That sentence, in plain words
The group must give the medal to three named deputies. Each one is named with a badge number.
What this is about
The law itself names them. It says nothing else about them. This site does not add facts the law does not carry.
No action is recorded against this proposal. That is not evidence that none has been taken, and nobody has yet read it against the record. See what the tracker does not yet cover.
The document says “shall”Who acts: PresidentHow: statuteSec. 2 in the PDF
What the document says
“The Commission shall cease to exist on the date on which the President determines that the Commission has completed each responsibility under paragraph (5).”
Subsection (c)(7) ends the Commission on the date the President determines it has completed every duty listed in subsection (c)(5). The end date is set by that determination, not by a date in the statute.
What the document actually says
“The Commission shall cease to exist on the date on which the President determines that the Commission has completed each responsibility under paragraph (5).”
That sentence, in plain words
The group stops when the President says its jobs are all done.
What this is about
There is no end date in the law. The end turns on a call by the President. The jobs are the five listed above.
No action is recorded against this proposal. That is not evidence that none has been taken, and nobody has yet read it against the record. See what the tracker does not yet cover.
The document says “shall”Who acts: PresidentHow: statuteSec. 2 in the PDF
What the document says
“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.”
Subsection (d) sets the design of the medal in the statute. The Commission and the agencies are given no say in its shape. The opening sentences set the shape, a modified quatrefoil with rounded lobes around a central octagon, and say the field takes features from the Great Seal of the United States as redesigned by Tiffany & Co in 1885. The heraldic terms the subsection uses are quoted, not explained.
What the document actually says
“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.”
That sentence, in plain words
The medal has four rounded lobes around an eight sided center. The face of it borrows from the Great Seal of the country.
What this is about
The law spells out the look of the medal itself. Most of the words it uses come from the old art of coats of arms. This site quotes those words rather than telling you what each one means.
No action is recorded against this proposal. That is not evidence that none has been taken, and nobody has yet read it against the record. See what the tracker does not yet cover.
The document says “shall”Who acts: PresidentHow: statuteSec. 2 in the PDF
What the document says
“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.”
Subsection (d) states what the medal carries: the word SACRIFICE at the foot of the design, three oak leaves, and, on the reverse, an engraving of the names of the fallen. The meanings given to the oak leaves are the statute's own words, quoted here rather than stated in the site's voice.
What the document actually says
“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.”
That sentence, in plain words
The word SACRIFICE is at the foot of the medal. Three oak leaves sit near it. The back of the medal is rough, and the names of the dead are cut into it.
What this is about
The law says the oak leaves stand for the national tree. It says they stand for strength and for the families left behind. Those are the law's words, not this site's.
No action is recorded against this proposal. That is not evidence that none has been taken, and nobody has yet read it against the record. See what the tracker does not yet cover.
The document says “shall”Who acts: PresidentHow: statuteSec. 2 in the PDF
What the document says
“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.”
Subsection (d) fixes the materials and the measurements in the statute: silver with gold vermeil, about 63 grams, 2.25 inches across, with plating 2.5 microns thick. It also says the medal hangs from a ribbon, either Azure or Gules depending on the fallen hero being honored, and that the ribbon bail is hand soldered to the back. The section names no maker, no sum of money and no agency to pay for it.
What the document actually says
“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.”
That sentence, in plain words
The medal is made of silver with a thin coat of gold. It weighs about 63 grams. It is a little over two inches across.
What this is about
It hangs from a ribbon. The ribbon is blue or red, based on who is being honored. The law names no maker and no money for the work.
No action is recorded against this proposal. That is not evidence that none has been taken, and nobody has yet read it against the record. See what the tracker does not yet cover.
Each thing the section directs: who issues the medal, who is eligible, the exception and how it is resolved, the term the section defines, and the Commission's establishment, membership, terms, pay, duties, first awards and end. The described form of the medal is recorded in the law's own words.
The repetition of the medal's full name in every subsection, which is recorded once. The approval line and the legislative history the Government Publishing Office prints after the last section are held out of the indexed text.
The section creates a new medal rather than amending an older statute, so nothing recorded here depends on a law that is not indexed. The design sentences use heraldic terms, and the site quotes them rather than explaining what they mean. The section names no sum of money and no agency to pay for the medal.
