Ala. Code § 45-45-235.01
The governing body of Madison County shall begin deducting, upon May 8, 2001, and each month thereafter, from the salaries of such sheriffs an amount equal to six percent of the monthly salary paid to the sheriff and shall be deducted monthly and paid into the general fund of the county. If any sheriff, subject to this part, ends his or her tenure of office prior to having reached the age of 55 years, but having had 30 years of service as a Madison County law enforcement officer, eight of which have been as Sheriff of Madison County, his or her supernumerary allowance as set out in Section 45-45-235.02, shall be vested and held in the general fund of the county until he or she attains the age of 55, at which time, or any time thereafter, he or she may elect to become a supernumerary sheriff as set out in Section 45-45-235. If any sheriff, subject to this part, ends his or her tenure of office prior to having had 30 years of service as a Madison County law enforcement officer, eight of which were served as Sheriff of Madison County as provided herein, an amount equal to the total paid by him or her into the general fund of the county under this section shall be repaid to him or her. In the event a sheriff should die in office prior to his or her eligibility then, in that event, the total amount paid by him or her to the general fund of the county hereunder shall be paid to his or her named beneficiary. In the event a sheriff dies in office who immediately prior to his or her death was eligible for supernumerary status but had not elected to be commissioned as a supernumerary sheriff, then, in that event, his or her spouse shall be entitled to the same benefits as if he or she had elected to be commissioned as a supernumerary sheriff. In the event of the death of any supernumerary sheriff in whose favor a monthly retirement allowance is accruing, his or her spouse shall be entitled to a monthly allowance equal to 50 percent of the retirement allowance the supernumerary sheriff was receiving when he or she died, as hereinafter specified. No spouse shall receive any benefits under this part unless such spouse was married to the deceased supernumerary sheriff at the time of his or her death.
Ala. Code § 45-45-235.01 (1975)