Section 15-6-1
Sheriff principal conservator of the peace.
The sheriff is the principal conservator of the peace in his county, and it is his duty to suppress all riots, unlawful assemblies and affrays. In the execution of such duty, he may summon to his aid as many of the men of his county as he thinks proper.
(Code 1852, §407; Code 1867, §3956; Code 1876, §4025; Code 1886, §4679; Code 1896, §5160; Code 1907, §7518; Code 1923, §5135; Code 1940, T. 15, §398.)