PHOENIX -- Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio has promoted 109-year-old Elva McKittrick to colonel, the highest rank possible in the county's volunteer law enforcement posse.

"Anytime we can honor a senior citizen like Elva who wants to contribute to society in any way possible right to the very last breath, I think we owe it to them to do so," Arpaio said. "Clearly Ms. McKittrick is an inspiration to us all."

Arpaio honored McKittrick with a badge Tuesday at the Royal Oaks Retirement Home. Her health care workers said she is excited about the promotion, the sheriff's office said.

McKittrick is a longtime supporter of law enforcement and closely follows crime news, the sheriff's office said. She has been a member of the sheriff's posse since she was 107.