All appointments of employees to which this subpart applies, other than temporary appointments, shall be probationary for one year from the date of appointment. A probationary employee may be discharged by the sheriff at his or her pleasure at any time before the expiration of one year from his or her appointment. After the employee has served for one year in the position to which he or she was originally appointed or employed, the employee shall become a merit employee.
Ala. Code § 45-11-231.07 (1975)