Is a sheriff an officer or an employee at the pleasure of the appointing authority?

The defendants argue that the plaintiffs are 'officers' within the meaning of these sections. They reason that the sheriff is an officer, A.R.S. Sec. 11-401(A), who is empowered to appoint deputies, A.R.S. Sec. 11-409. Since deputies of a state or county officer possess the powers and may perform the duties prescribed by law for the office, A.R.S. Sec. 38-462(A), then the deputies are also 'officers' who, as stated above, hold office at the pleasure of the appointing power, A.R.S. Sec. 38-295(A). In addition, Ernst v. Arizona Board of Regents, 119 Ariz. 129, 579 P.2d 1099 (1978), holds that a public officer who holds office 'at the pleasure' of an appointing authority is 'an employee at will'.