When any such person is so granted a leave of absence, he shall continue to hold his office, position, or employment in the State Police, and he shall retain all of the rights, privileges and benefits, including tenure and rating and status in the civil service, incident to his continued holding of said office, position, or employment, except the right to receive pay by reason of his holding thereof, despite his acceptance of an appointment to so serve in the said Federal Bureau of Investigation.
N.J.S. § 53:1-9.2