S. 3765 – Medal of Sacrifice Act

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Updated February 26, 2026 at 5:17 AM UTC

The Medal of Sacrifice Act creates a new national award for law‑enforcement officers and first responders who are killed while on duty. The President will issue the medal, but only to those without an official finding of wrongdoing; a special commission will review any disputed cases. The law also sets up a commission to design the medal, decide how it’s presented, and award it, with the commission ending once its duties are finished.

Key Provisions

The President must create and award a Medal of Sacrifice to law‑enforcement officers and first responders who die while performing their duties.
Eligibility is limited to those killed in the line of duty, unless a superior or agency officially finds the person acted outside the scope of duties or violated policy; a commission will investigate such cases and make the final eligibility decision.
A 12‑member, unpaid Commission on the Medal of Sacrifice is established within 150 days of enactment; members serve five‑year terms (renewable once) and are drawn from law‑enforcement, first‑responder, and related organizations.
The Commission advises on medal design, promotes the award, decides how medals are presented, and makes eligibility determinations for cases involving alleged wrongdoing.
The Commission will initially award the medal to three named deputies and will dissolve once it has completed its responsibilities.
The medal’s design is specified in detail, incorporating national symbols and heraldic elements, and is made of silver and gold vermeil.

Legislative Activity

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SenateIntro Referral Latest Action

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.

Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee

February 3, 2026

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SenateIntro Referral

Introduced in Senate

February 3, 2026

SenateIntro Referral

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.

Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee

February 3, 2026

Bill Text

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Introduced in SenateIssued February 3, 2026

II

119th CONGRESS

2d Session

S. 3765

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

February 3, 2026

Mr. Graham (for himself and Ms. Cortez Masto) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs

A BILL

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

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Medal of Sacrifice Act.

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, 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 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;

(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.