N.Y. County Law § 650

§ 650. General duties of sheriff. 1. The sheriff shall perform the\nduties prescribed by law as an officer of the court and conservator of\nthe peace within the county. He shall perform such additional and\nrelated duties as may be prescribed by law and directed by the board of\nsupervisors or the county legislature.\n 2. Upon written request by the issurer thereof, the sheriff shall\nserve all civil process regardless of whether it has been issued by the\ncourt.\n