If there be no sheriff in any county, or if good cause of exception exists against him, by reason of his being a party to or interested in the suit, or otherwise, the process may be directed to any justice court judge of the county, who shall be bound to execute the same, and to do all things which the sheriff would be bound to do if no exception existed against him. In case of any neglect or breach of such duty, the justice court judge shall be liable to the same penalties and subject to the same actions and remedies as sheriffs are subject to in like cases.