§45-8-230. Supplies, materials, and equipment; civil liability immunity; bond; legal representation; special deputies.

(a) The governing body of Calhoun County shall furnish to the sheriff of the county all necessary supplies, materials, and equipment, including uniforms, needed for the efficient enforcement of the law in the county and for the efficient operation of the sheriff's office, including, but not limited to, five automobiles with two-way communication radios and motor fuel, tires, and accessories for their operation, all to be furnished upon the written requisition of the sheriff. One such automobile shall be clearly identified as a county patrol, and used to patrol the county roads of Calhoun County.

(b) The Sheriff of Calhoun County shall not be taxed with or liable for costs, fees, or charges of court when he or she, in his or her official capacity or for acts done under color of his or her office, is made a party defendant to any action at law or suit in equity. It is provided, however, that the sheriff shall be liable for the witness fees of witnesses summoned in his or her behalf when he or she is cast in litigation.

(c) The Sheriff of Calhoun County shall not be liable for the wrongful acts or omissions of his or her assistants, including special deputies sheriff, unless he or she participates in such acts or they are done in compliance with his or her orders or with his or her knowledge and consent. It is provided, however, that the sheriff shall be liable for the misappropriation of money collected by any such assistant under color of his or her office or in the course of his or her employment.

(d) The assistants provided for or by the sheriff, except special deputies sheriff and the attorney herein provided, shall each enter into bond in the penal sum of two thousand dollars ($2,000), payable, conditioned and approved as is the bond of the sheriff, and such bonds shall be recorded, held, and governed in all respects by the laws of this state relating to official bonds insofar as such laws are applicable.

(e) In the event the bond of the Sheriff of Calhoun County or that of any of his or her assistants shall be executed by a guaranty, surety, or bonding company as surety, the amount of the annual premium paid such company in consideration of such suretyship shall be paid by the county out of the county treasury as other obligations of the county are paid.

(f) The Sheriff of Calhoun County may employ an attorney-at-law to advise and represent him or her and his or her assistants in their official capacities. Such attorney shall receive as compensation therefor such reasonable sum as the sheriff may fix, not exceeding three thousand dollars ($3,000) a year, and the same shall be paid from county funds allocated for the payment of compensation to assistants to the sheriff. Such attorney shall serve at the pleasure of the sheriff.

(g) In addition to the paid assistants provided for him or her, the Sheriff of Calhoun County, as the need may arise or as he or she may deem proper, may appoint special deputies sheriff for the county without expense to the county.

(Acts 1951, No. 607, p. 1043, §§1-7; Act 79-368, p. 589, §1; Act 80-125, p. 189, §1.)