R.I. Gen. Laws § 42-29-26: Failure to serve process.

Every deputy sheriff who shall neglect or refuse to serve any process issuing from lawful authority, directed to the deputy sheriff to serve and execute (having in all civil causes, paid or tendered unto the deputy sheriff the deputy sheriff's legal fees, if the deputy sheriff demand the same, for serving and executing such process), shall be liable to the party aggrieved for such damages as the party may have sustained by such neglect or refusal.