(a) Except as otherwise provided by local law, vacancies in the office of sheriff shall be filled by the chief deputy sheriff if a chief deputy has been appointed. In any county in which a chief deputy sheriff has not been appointed, the probate judge shall, within three days of the vacancy, appoint a qualified person to serve as the interim sheriff.

(b)

(1) If less than six months of the sheriff's term of office remains at the time the vacancy occurs, the chief deputy sheriff or the interim sheriff, as the case may be, shall hold office for the unexpired term of the sheriff.

(2) If more than six months of the sheriff's term of office remains at the time the vacancy occurs, the election superintendent for the county shall call a special election to fill such vacancy. Such official shall give notice in one or more of the public newspapers of the county, if any; in the official legal organ of the county; at the courthouse; and at three or more of the most public places of the county at least 30 days prior to the date of such special election. Such special election shall be held at the next available special election date provided in Code Section 21-2-540 that is at least 60 days after the date the vacancy occurred. The person elected at such special election shall hold office for the unexpired term. The election shall be conducted in accordance with Chapter 2 of Title 21.

(c) Notwithstanding the provisions of Code Section 45-5-1, the office of sheriff shall by operation of law be deemed vacant upon certification by the Georgia Peace Officer Standards and Training Council to the judge of the probate court of the county that the certification required to be a peace officer has been revoked for the sheriff of said county. Such vacancy shall be filled as provided in this Code section.