(a)      Except as provided in § 2-302, the sheriff shall serve all papers directed to him according to their instructions, within the time set by the court.

      (b)      (1)      A sheriff may serve papers in a county other than the county of which he is sheriff; or

            (2)      The clerk may send a paper to the sheriff of another county for service by him. After serving the paper the sheriff shall file a return with the court from which it was issued.