Overview

• Creates a presidential Medal of Sacrifice for law enforcement officers and first responders killed in the line of duty at all levels (local, state, tribal, territorial, federal).
• Reported from committee January 27, 2026 and placed on House calendar. Awaiting House floor vote.
• Bill mandates establishment of oversight commission and specifies detailed medal design incorporating Great Seal imagery.

Who does this affect?

• Main groups: Families of fallen law enforcement officers and first responders across all government levels. Three named deputies receive initial awards: Ralph Waller, Ignacio Diaz, and Luis Paez.
• Who benefits: Families of fallen officers gain federal recognition of sacrifice. Law enforcement community gains national honor system.
• Teen impact score: 3/10 (symbolic recognition with tangible medal creation, but no direct teen interaction)

What This Bill Does

• President appoints 12 commission members within 150 days of enactment. Members serve 5-year terms, renewable once. No payment for service.
• Commission determines medal presentation procedures, advises on eligibility criteria, and makes final determinations when officers face wrongdoing findings.
• Excludes officers with 'official finding of wrongdoing' - defined as superior officer's determination that officer acted outside duty scope or violated agency policies. Commission investigates disputed cases.
• Medal specifications: Silver Ag925 with 24k gold vermeil, 2.25-inch diameter, 63 grams, 2.5-micron plating thickness. Design features modified quatrefoil shape, Great Seal elements, 47 stars, oak leaves, 'SACRIFICE' inscription, engraved names of fallen on reverse.
• Commission sunsets when President determines all responsibilities completed (no fixed end date).

Legislative Status

• Introduced May 19, 2025 by Rep. Mast with broad bipartisan support (34 cosponsors added by January 2026).
• Reported from Judiciary Committee January 27, 2026 with amendment. Ordered to be printed and committed to Committee of the Whole.
• Next step: House floor consideration.

In short

• Creates official federal medal honoring law enforcement officers and first responders killed on duty.
• 12-member presidential commission oversees medal program, eligibility determinations, and presentation procedures.
• Officers who violated agency policies while on duty remain ineligible unless commission overturns wrongdoing finding.
• Bill awaits House floor vote after committee approval.

Why should I care?

This bill recognizes the ultimate sacrifice made by law enforcement officers and first responders protecting communities. While it doesn't create financial benefits or change policies affecting daily life, it establishes federal recognition parallel to military honors like the Purple Heart. For families who lost loved ones in the line of duty, the medal provides tangible national acknowledgment of their sacrifice. The commission structure ensures proper vetting while the wrongdoing exclusion maintains integrity of the honor. Though primarily symbolic, federal medals carry weight in commemorating public service at its most dangerous.