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.