At the general election to be held in 1948, and at each general election held every four years thereafter, the voters in every county in this state shall elect some suitable person sheriff. No person shall be eligible for the office of sheriff who has been convicted of a felony. Such person shall be a resident taxpayer and elector of said county, shall have resided in said county for more than one whole year next before filing for said office and shall be a person capable of efficient law enforcement. When any person shall be elected sheriff, he shall enter upon the discharge of the duties of his office on the first day of January next succeeding his election.

(RSMo 1939 § 13125, A.L. 1945 p. 1728, A.L. 1978 H.B. 971)

Prior revisions: 1929 § 11505; 1919 § 11629; 1909 § 11200

(1955) Sheriff held county officer within meaning of section 18, Article VI of Constitution so that county charter could transfer his policing and law enforcement functions to county police department. State on inf. Dalton ex rel. Shepley v. Gamble, 365 Mo. 215, 280 S.W.2d 656.