Medal of Sacrifice Act

The Medal of Sacrifice Act would create a federally recognized Medal of Sacrifice to honor law enforcement officers and first responders who are killed in the line of duty. The President would issue the medal, and a newly established Commission on the Medal of Sacrifice would oversee design, presentation, and eligibility determinations, including handling cases where an officer’s or responder’s death is associated with an official finding of wrongdoing. The bill specifies an initial award to three named deputies, outlines a detailed design and material description for the medal, and provides for a sunset of the Commission once its duties are completed. A key feature is the eligibility standard: a death in the line of duty qualifies unless there is an official finding of wrongdoing by the officer or responder’s agency, in which case the Commission would investigate and make a final eligibility determination. The bill also creates a formal process for designing and presenting the medal and assigns responsibilities to the Commission, while prohibiting compensation for its members.