December 22, 2020
The Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) is now accepting nominations for the Congressional Badge of Bravery, which honors federal, state, and local law enforcement officers who have shown exceptional bravery in the line of duty. Annually, the U.S. Attorney General awards the medals, and the recipients’ Congressional representatives present the awards.
“To meet the definition of an act of bravery, nominees for the Congressional Badge of Bravery must have either:
- Sustained a physical injury while engaged in the lawful duties of the individual, and performing an act characterized as bravery by the agency head who makes the nomination, and being at personal risk; or
- Although not injured, performed an act characterized as bravery by the agency head who makes the nomination that placed the individual at risk of serious physical injury or death.”
Agency heads should submit their nominations to the Congressional Badge of Bravery Office, which is part of BJA, by February 15, 2021.