The sheriff may suspend, without pay, a merit employee for any personal misconduct or fact affecting or concerning his or her fitness or ability to perform his or her duties in the public interest. In the event a merit employee is suspended without pay for more than 10 days in any one year, he or she shall be entitled to a public hearing by the board upon written demand filed within five days from the date of the order of suspension. If, after hearing, the board determines that the action of the appointing authority was not with good cause, the suspension shall be revoked.
Ala. Code § 45-11-231.09 (1975)