If a sheriff or deputy dies as a result of injury received in the line of duty, the spouse or, if none, the minor child or children, of the sheriff or deputy shall receive a pension equal to 1/2 of the pay of the sheriff or deputy at the time of death, but in no case may the pension be less than $1,000 annually. This pension shall be paid to the spouse until the spouse dies or remarries and to a child or children until they die or reach the age of 18 years.

The county commissioners of each county shall pay these pensions from county funds.

PL 1987, c. 737, §§A2,C106 (NEW). PL 1989, c. 6 (AMD). PL 1989, c. 9, §2 (AMD). PL 1989, c. 104, §§C8,10 (AMD).