Who takes over when a sheriff dies?

Answer 1

Well, honey, when a sheriff kicks the bucket, typically the undersheriff or deputy sheriff steps up to the plate. It's like a game of sheriff roulette - the next in line gets to wear the big hat and wrangle up the bad guys. Just remember, in the wild world of law enforcement, there's always someone ready to fill those cowboy boots.

Answer 2

That's an interesting question. In some states, deputy sheriffs serve at the pleasure of the sheriff, and derive their power from him or her. In that case, if the sheriff dies in office, the deputies are technically no longer law enforcement officers until a new sheriff is seated.

For that reason, the governor of such states (Florida, for instance) normally has a document ready that temporarily appoints the undersheriff to the sheriff's spot, until a permanent appointment can be made. An emergency call is made to the governor, and he immediately disignates the stand-in. All deputies are automatically deputized as the new sheriff's deputies.

Answer 3

Deputy becomes acting until new election.

Additional: The Under-Sheriff, the Chief Deputy, whatever the second-in-command of the Department (whatever his rank) is called.