In this chapter: (1) Public safety officer The term “ public safety officer ” means a person serving a public agency, with or without compensation, as a firefighter, law enforcement officer , or emergency services officer, as determined by the Attorney General. For the purposes of this paragraph, the term “ law enforcement officer ” includes a person who is a corrections or court officer or a civil defense officer. (2) State The term “ State ” means each of the several States of the United States , the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico , the Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. ( Pub. L. 107–12, § 5 , May 30, 2001 , 115 Stat. 22 .) Editorial Notes References in Text This chapter, referred to in introductory provisions, was in the original “this Act”, meaning Pub. L. 107–12 , May. 30, 2001, 115 Stat. 20 , known as the Public Safety Officer Medal of Valor Act of 2001 , which is classified principally to this chapter. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 15201 of this title and Tables.