PRIA Logo™
Title 34, NavyRelease 119-110

§51101 Medal of Sacrifice for Law Enforcement Officers and First Responders

Title 34 › Subtitle V — Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Personnel › CHAPTER 511 — MEDAL OF SACRIFICE › § 51101

Last updated Sep 23, 2026|Official source

Summary

The President must create and give a "medal of sacrifice" to local, State, Tribal, territorial, or Federal law enforcement officers and first responders who are killed in the line of duty. Anyone found by their superior or employing agency to have acted outside their duties or against agency rules is not eligible unless the Commission investigates and decides otherwise. An "official finding of wrongdoing" means a supervisor or agency decided the person broke duty rules. The President must set up a 12-member Commission to run the medal program and make decisions. The President must appoint the members within 150 days after May 28, 2026. Members serve 5-year terms and may serve up to two terms. They are unpaid. The Commission will help design and promote the medal, decide how it is presented, set eligibility rules, and make final decisions in wrongdoing cases. The Commission will give the first medals to Deputy Ralph “Butch” Waller (Badge #8434), Deputy Ignacio “Dan” Diaz (Badge #7637), and Deputy Luis Paez (Badge #3882). The medal is a modified quatrefoil showing a redesigned Great Seal, the word SACRIFICE, three oak leaves, 47 stars, a sandblasted back with engraved names, a ribbon in Azure or Gules, and is made of Silver Ag925 with 24k Gold Vermeil, about 63 grams, 2.25 inches across, with 2.5 micron Vermeil plating. The Commission ends when the President says its work is done.

Full Legal Text

Title 34, §51101

Navy, Source: USLM XML via OLRC

(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 May 28, 2026, 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.

Legislative History

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Short Title

For

Short Title

of Pub. L. 119–94, which is classified to this chapter, as the “Medal of Sacrifice Act of 2025”, see section 1 of Pub. L. 119–94, set out as a

Short Title

of 2026 Amendment note under section 10101 of this title.

Reference

Citations & Metadata

Citation

34 U.S.C. § 51101

Title 34, Navy

Last Updated

Sep 23, 2026

Release point: 119-110