Trump Signs Medal of Sacrifice Act Creating Honors for Fallen Federal Law Enforcement
President Trump signed Public Law 119-94, the Medal of Sacrifice Act of 2025, on June 2. The law establishes a new national medal and memorial for federal law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty and directs the Attorney General to create implementing procedures.
freepressjournal.inWASHINGTON, June 2, 2026 — President Trump signed Public Law 119-94, the Medal of Sacrifice Act of 2025, establishing a Medal of Sacrifice to be awarded posthumously to federal law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty and creating a corresponding memorial.
The law affects the families and agencies of roughly 50 to 70 federal officers killed annually in the line of duty, according to historical averages maintained by the FBI and the Department of Justice's Public Safety Officers' Benefits program. It applies to officers from agencies including the FBI, DEA, ATF, Federal Bureau of Prisons, U.S. Secret Service, U.S. Marshals Service, Capitol Police, and other federal law enforcement entities.
Prior to the law, no unified national medal existed specifically for federal law enforcement officers killed in action; recognition occurred through individual agency awards or the existing Public Safety Officer Medal of Valor, which covers both state and federal officers.
The Medal of Sacrifice Act creates a distinct federal honor. The Attorney General must issue implementing regulations within 180 days of enactment, meaning procedures must be in place by November 29, 2026.
Downstream, the Justice Department must now draft eligibility criteria, nomination processes, and design specifications for the medal. Federal agencies will be required to report line-of-duty deaths through a standardized channel once procedures are published.
The law also triggers coordination between the Justice Department and the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund to select and prepare the memorial site. Congress will receive annual reports on awards conferred once the program begins operation.
This is the first new standalone federal law enforcement memorial medal created by statute since the Public Safety Officer Medal of Valor was established in 2001. The bill passed the House and Senate without recorded opposition in roll-call votes prior to presentment.
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