I want understand who is responsible for serving the documents from the Magistrate office. The complaint or the sheriff of the couty?

I went to the Magistrate seeking assistance in regard to a Protection Order which thankfully I got a temporary order. My question is why must I to submit it to the respondent the documents directly? If I'm to do this why is there a sheriff of the court and what is his job? Truthfully speaking I'm afraid of the person they want me to serve this documents to in person . In a case like this how can I be helped, This matter is rather of an urgent matter. I do not feel safe even when I'm accompanied by the police.