The sheriff of the county or anyone acting for him who shall cause any person to be appointed to or promoted in the force of deputy sheriffs contrary to the provisions of this act, or who violates any of the provisions of this act, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor, and upon conviction, shall be sentenced to pay a fine of not more than five hundred dollars ($500) or suffer imprisonment not exceeding one year, or both.
16 P.S. § 4221.16