Chapter 9.9. California Golden Shield Act of California Government Code >> Division 4. >> Title 1. >> Chapter 9.9.

This chapter shall be known and may be cited as the California Golden Shield Act.

The Governor annually shall award, and present in the name of the State of California, a Golden Shield Award of appropriate design, with ribbons and appurtenances, to the next of kin of, or immediate family members of, every public safety officer who, while serving in any capacity under competent authority, has been killed in the line of duty in that year.

For the purposes of this chapter, "public safety officer" means a person serving a public agency, with or without compensation, as a firefighter, law enforcement officer, or emergency services officer. "Law enforcement officer" includes a person who is a corrections or court officer or a civil defense officer.