(a) When a deputy county sheriff retires from service or dies while still employed with the county sheriff's department, in recognition of and appreciation for the service of the retiring or deceased deputy county sheriff, the county sheriff may award the pistol carried by the deputy county sheriff at the time of his or her death or retirement from service to:
(1) The deputy county sheriff; or
(2) The deputy county sheriff's spouse if the spouse is eligible under applicable state and federal laws to possess a firearm.
(b)
(1) A county sheriff may retain his or her pistol he or she carried at the time of his or her retirement from service.
(2) If the county sheriff dies while he or she is still in office, his or her spouse may receive or retain the pistol carried by the county sheriff at the time of his or her death if the spouse is eligible under applicable state and federal laws to possess a firearm.