I lived in a town like this (USA). We had no cops and the fire department was volunteer only. I recall a house burning down to the cement foundation over a couple hours, fire dept came by to put out the ruins. No one was hurt.

Can't imagine having 2 cops in that town, let alone 50. No money.

The post office used to be in the same building as the bank (until the bank burnt down). They moved into the lower floor of a house.