In any case of vacancy in the office of sheriff, the undersheriff, or if there be more than one undersheriff, the undersheriff who shall have been designated as acting sheriff shall act as sheriff and perform the duties of that office in the county until a new sheriff is appointed or elected and duly qualified.

In each county in which there is more than one undersheriff the sheriff shall designate annually one of the undersheriffs to be acting sheriff, by written designation filed with the county clerk, which designation may be revoked and a new designation made in similar manner. When the new sheriff shall be appointed or elected and duly qualified, the powers and duties of the undersheriff as acting sheriff shall cease.

L.1971, c. 200, s. 1, eff. July 1, 1971.