FBI_Honorary_Medals
The United States' Federal Bureau of Investigation instituted an Honorary Medals Program in 1989 as a way of recognizing "exceptional acts" by FBI employees and other law enforcement personnel working with the FBI.[1] These medals were created to supplement the then-existing reward system within the Bureau.[2] There are four medals in the program intended for personnel: the FBI Star, the FBI Medal for Meritorious Achievement, the FBI Shield of Bravery, and the FBI Medal of Valor. One additional medal, the FBI Memorial Star, is for a surviving relative when a death has occurred in the line of duty.[1] These medals are considered to be among the highest honors granted by the FBI, and fewer than 400 had been awarded as of March 2009.[1]