(a) Except as otherwise provided by local law, vacancies in the office of sheriff shall be filled and the proceedings thereafter shall be as in cases of vacancies in the office of clerk of the superior court, subject to the exception provided in subsection (b) of this Code section.

(b) In case there is a failure to appoint, as set forth in Code Section 15-6-54, the coroner of the county shall act as sheriff. If there is no coroner, the sheriff of any adjoining county is authorized to act as sheriff until the judge of the probate court makes the appointment or an election is held.

(c) Reserved.

(d) Notwithstanding the provisions of Code Section 45-5-1, the office of sheriff shall by operation of law be deemed vacated upon certification being made by the Georgia Peace Officer Standards and Training Council to the judge of the probate court of such county that a newly elected sheriff who is not a registered or certified peace officer at the time of taking office has failed to become a certified peace officer within the required time and pursuant to the provisions of subparagraph (c)(1)(J) of Code Section 15-16-1. Such vacancy shall be filled as provided in this Code section.