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.
Code 1950, § 15-509; 1962, c. 623, § 15.1-74; 1971, Ex. Sess., c. 155; 1997, c. 587.