16 Pa. Stat. § 4203.1
In counties of the second class, the sheriff of the county shall appoint in accordance with section 1216 , by commission duly recorded in the Department of Real Estate, a chief deputy, whose appointment shall be revocable by the sheriff at pleasure on recording in said department a signed revocation thereof. The chief deputy, during his continuance in office, shall have full power and authority to perform any duty incumbent upon such 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 such sheriff to act while such sheriff continues in office. Nothing in this section shall operate to relieve such sheriff or his sureties from liability upon their official bond.
16 P.S. § 4203.1