(a) Appointment.--The sheriff of each county shall appoint, by commission duly recorded in the office for recording deeds, a chief deputy whose appointment shall be revocable by the sheriff on recording in the office for recording deeds a signed revocation. The chief deputy, during continuance in office, shall have full power and authority to perform any duty incumbent upon the sheriff, with like effect in law as if such official act had been done by the sheriff in person, regardless of the ability or temporary disability of the sheriff to act, while the sheriff continues in office. Nothing in this section shall operate to relieve such sheriff or the sheriff's sureties from liability upon their official bond.

(b) Petition.--If during a vacancy in the office of sheriff the duties of the office cannot be discharged in accordance with section 1213-A¹ or any other law, the ranking deputy of the office shall petition the court of common pleas to authorize a deputy to perform any duty incumbent upon the sheriff. Upon a finding that no other individual has the legal capacity to discharge the duty, the court shall authorize the deputy to perform the duty during the vacancy with like effect in law as if the official act had been done by the sheriff.