A county coroner may appoint one or more deputies to be approved by the judge of the circuit or by any circuit judge presiding therein, who must take and subscribe the oath prescribed by the Constitution prior to entering upon the duties of appointment as a deputy coroner. The oath may be administered by any officer authorized to administer oaths in the county. The appointment must be evidenced by a certificate thereof, signed by the coroner, and continue at the coroner's pleasure. The coroner may take a bond and surety from his deputy as he considers necessary to secure the faithful discharge of the duties of the appointment, but the coroner must always be answerable for the neglect of duty or misconduct in office of his deputy coroner. When duly qualified, as herein required, the deputy coroner may do and perform any or all of the duties appertaining to the office of the coroner. Section 17-5-80. Any magistrate of the county must exercise all the powers and discharge all the duties of the coroner in holding inquests over the body of deceased persons and taking all proper proceedings when the coroner of the county is sick, absent, at a greater distance than fifteen miles from the place for such inquiry, or when the office is vacant.