When there is no sheriff in a county, who assumes the duties of the sheriff?

The proper answer is that when there is no sheriff in a county, the duties of the sheriff are typically assumed by the county judge. This situation arises generally in cases where the sheriff is unable to perform their duties due to absence or vacancy of the office. The county judge is often designated as the official to take on those responsibilities, ensuring that law enforcement operations can continue and that necessary services are available to the public.

The reasoning for the other options not being correct lies in their respective roles. For instance, while a deputy sheriff is traditionally a key member of the sheriff’s department, they usually can’t assume the full range of powers and duties of the sheriff without direct assignment. Similarly, local chiefs of police manage law enforcement within their specific municipalities but do not take on the responsibilities of the sheriff at the county level. An officer, likewise, refers to any law enforcement officer but lacks the authority or mandate to perform the sheriff's functions unless specified by law or designated by a higher authority. Therefore, in the absence of a sheriff, it is the county judge who legally steps in to fulfill those duties.