Los Angeles police officers who are killed or seriously injured in the line of duty could receive a Purple Heart from the Los Angeles Police Department under a proposal that will be considered Tuesday by the Police Commission.

The proposal to issue medals is being backed by police Chief William Bratton and the Los Angeles Police Protective League, the union that represents LAPD officers.

"It is but one way we can show our appreciation for the sacrifices made by the dedicated men and women who so selflessly serve the city of Los Angeles as Los Angeles police officers," Bratton wrote in a report to the commission.

The Purple Heart would be awarded to officers who die in the line of duty or who suffer traumatic physical injuries as a result of a suspect's actions.

The LAPD proposal classifies "traumatic physical injuries" as ones that pose a substantial risk of death, require inpatient treatment and a protracted hospital stay, the loss or protracted impairment of a body part or serious physical disfigurement.

The department found that five sworn personnel over the last three years would have met those standards for the Purple Heart. If approved by the Police Commission, the Purple Heart could be awarded retroactively.

"Creation of the Purple Heart award is long overdue for the men and women who serve the city of Los Angeles as police officers and for the families of those who made the ultimate sacrifice," said LAPPL President Paul M. Weber. "It should be promptly adopted by the Police Commission because it is the right thing to do and now is the right time to do it."