1. U.S. Code
  2. title 42
  3. chapter 145
  4. § 15208

Collapse to view only § 15208. Law enforcement tribute acts

§ 15201. Authorization of Medal

After September 1, 2001, the President may award, and present in the name of Congress, a Medal of Valor of appropriate design, with ribbons and appurtenances, to a public safety officer who is cited by the Attorney General, upon the recommendation of the Medal of Valor Review Board, for extraordinary valor above and beyond the call of duty. The Public Safety Medal of Valor shall be the highest national award for valor by a public safety officer.

(Pub. L. 107–12, § 2, May 30, 2001, 115 Stat. 20.)

CITE AS: 42 USC 15201

§ 15202. Medal of Valor Board
(a) Establishment of Board
(b) Membership
(1) Members
The members of the Board shall be individuals with knowledge or expertise, whether by experience or training, in the field of public safety, of which—
(A) two shall be appointed by the majority leader of the Senate;
(B) two shall be appointed by the minority leader of the Senate;
(C) two shall be appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives;
(D) two shall be appointed by the minority leader of the House of Representatives; and
(E) three shall be appointed by the President, including one with experience in firefighting, one with experience in law enforcement, and one with experience in emergency services.
(2) Term
(3) Vacancies
(4) Operation of the Board
(A) Chairman
(B) Meetings
(C) Voting and rules
(c) Duties
(d) Hearings
(1) In general
(2) Witness expenses
(e) Information from Federal agencies
(f) Information to be kept confidential
(Pub. L. 107–12, § 3, May 30, 2001, 115 Stat. 20; Pub. L. 109–162, title XI, § 1112, Jan. 5, 2006, 119 Stat. 3103.)

CITE AS: 42 USC 15202

§ 15203. Board personnel matters
(a) Compensation of members
(1) Except as provided in paragraph (2), each member of the Board shall be compensated at a rate equal to the daily equivalent of the annual rate of basic pay prescribed for level IV of the Executive Schedule under
(2) All members of the Board who serve as officers or employees of the United States, a State, or a local government, shall serve without compensation in addition to that received for those services.
(b) Travel expenses
(Pub. L. 107–12, § 4, May 30, 2001, 115 Stat. 21.)

CITE AS: 42 USC 15203

§ 15204. Definitions
In this chapter:
(1) Public safety officer
(2) State
(Pub. L. 107–12, § 5, May 30, 2001, 115 Stat. 22.)

CITE AS: 42 USC 15204

§ 15205. Authorization of appropriations

There are authorized to be appropriated to the Attorney General such sums as may be necessary to carry out this chapter.

(Pub. L. 107–12, § 6, May 30, 2001, 115 Stat. 22.)

CITE AS: 42 USC 15205

§ 15206. National Medal of Valor Office

There is established within the Department of Justice a National Medal of Valor Office. The Office shall provide staff support to the Board to establish criteria and procedures for the submission of recommendations of nominees for the Medal of Valor and for the final design of the Medal of Valor.

(Pub. L. 107–12, § 7, May 30, 2001, 115 Stat. 22.)

CITE AS: 42 USC 15206

§ 15207. Consultation requirement

The Board shall consult with the Institute of Heraldry within the Department of Defense regarding the design and artistry of the Medal of Valor. The Board may also consider suggestions received by the Department of Justice regarding the design of the medal, including those made by persons not employed by the Department.

(Pub. L. 107–12, § 9, May 30, 2001, 115 Stat. 22.)

CITE AS: 42 USC 15207

§ 15208. Law enforcement tribute acts
(a) Short title
(b) Findings
Congress finds the following:
(1) The well-being of all citizens of the United States is preserved and enhanced as a direct result of the vigilance and dedication of law enforcement and public safety personnel.
(2) More than 700,000 law enforcement officers, both men and women, at great risk to their personal safety, serve their fellow citizens as guardians of peace.
(3) Nationwide, 51 law enforcement officers were killed in the line of duty in 2000, according to statistics released by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. This number is an increase of 9 from the 1999 total of 42.
(4) In 1999, 112 firefighters died while on duty, an increase of 21 deaths from the previous year.
(5) Every year, 1 in 9 peace officers is assaulted, 1 in 25 is injured, and 1 in 4,400 is killed in the line of duty.
(6) In addition, recent statistics indicate that 83 officers were accidentally killed in the performance of their duties in 2000, an increase of 18 from the 65 accidental deaths in 1999.
(7) A permanent tribute is a powerful means of honoring the men and women who have served our Nation with distinction. However, many law enforcement and public safety agencies lack the resources to honor their fallen colleagues.
(c) Program authorized
(d) Uses of funds
(e) $150,000 limitation
(f) Matching funds
(1) The Federal portion of the costs of a program provided by a grant under this section may not exceed 50 percent.
(2) Any funds appropriated by Congress for the activities of any agency of an Indian tribal government or the Bureau of Indian Affairs performing law enforcement or public safety functions on any Indian lands may be used to provide the non-Federal share of a matching requirement funded under this subsection.
(g) Applications
(h) Annual report to Congress
(i) Authorization of appropriations
(Pub. L. 107–273, div. C, title I, § 11001, Nov. 2, 2002, 116 Stat. 1815; Pub. L. 109–162, title XI, § 1185, Jan. 5, 2006, 119 Stat. 3127.)

CITE AS: 42 USC 15208