119-hr3497

[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 3497 Introduced in House

    (IH) ]

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119th CONGRESS
 1st Session
 H. R. 3497

To establish a medal of service for law enforcement officers and first 
 responders.

_______________________________________________________________________

 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

 May 19, 2025

 Mr. Mast introduced the following bill; which was referred to the 
 Committee on the Judiciary

_______________________________________________________________________

 A BILL

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''.

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, 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.
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