Law Enforcement Tribute Act Program, FY 2004

About the Law Enforcement Tribute Act Program

Public Law 107-273 authorizes the U.S. Attorney General to make grants to states, units of local government, and Indian tribes to carry out programs that honor, through permanent tributes, men and women of the United States who have been killed or disabled while serving as law enforcement or public safety officers. The fiscal year (FY) 2003 appropriation was $500,000, and these funds will be awarded in FY 2004.

The Law Enforcement Tribute Act provides one-time grants to eligible jurisdictions to assist in the completion of permanent tributes aimed at honoring the men and women of law enforcement and public safety who have been killed or disabled in the line of duty. Many states, counties, municipalities, and tribal governments have already undertaken projects to honor these officers. Designing and completing permanent tributes is a complex, multiyear process that requires dedicated human and financial resources. Congress understands this need and has provided limited means to assist some jurisdictions that are actively engaged in the process and need additional financial assistance to complete their projects.

Permanent tributes are broadly defined and may take many forms. Many memorials consist of fixed objects that require minimal upkeep. Examples of generally acceptable permanent tributes include plaques, statues, portraits, fountains, free-form or abstract sculptures, living tributes (trees or gardens), murals, and dedicated public buildings or public areas.

Grants may not be used by jurisdictions that have completed a permanent tribute at the time of the award, and they may not be used for the purchase of land or construction costs (see Prohibited Use of Funds). Additionally, grants are not available for permanent tributes that are exclusively in a print, graphic, or electronic form, such as Internet web pages, or in the form of endowments or scholarship programs.