When for any cause it is improper for the sheriff of any county or city to serve any process or notice or to summon a jury, such process may be directed to any deputy of the sheriff, and the process or notice may be served and the jury summoned by any such deputy.
When deputy may act in place of sheriff
Va. Code Ann. § 15.2-1616, under Chapter 16. Local Constitutional Officers, Courthouses and Supplies..
Va. Code Ann. § 15.2-1616