(a) Anything in this chapter to the contrary notwithstanding, any member who, prior to becoming a member, was appointed to fill an anticipated vacancy in the office of sheriff and who served in that capacity shall be eligible for and, upon application, shall receive service credit for such service.

(b) Any such member shall give written notice to the secretary-treasurer of his claim for credit for such service, together with an amendment to his application for membership, in such form as may be approved by the board. The amendment shall list all such periods of service for which he intends to claim credit as a basis for his future retirement. The notice and amendment shall be filed prior to August 31, 1992, or within the first 30 days of any new term of office of such member.

(c) At the time such member gives written notification to the secretary-treasurer, such member must also tender payment of all amounts due under paragraph (5) of Code Section 47-16-40 for the service listed in the amendment to his application for membership, together with interest on such amounts at 8 percent per annum from the date of acceptance of his original membership.

(d) Service credit granted pursuant to this Code section shall be deemed to be service as a qualified and commissioned sheriff of a county in the State of Georgia for purposes of eligibility for retirement benefits provided in Code Section 47-16-100; provided, however, that for purposes of such Code section, such service shall be deemed performed after July 1, 1988.