100-year-old woman earns honorary title of sheriff's deputy

WASHINGTON COUNTY, Ore. – Friday was a big day for Barbara White: She turned 100 years old but she also became an honorary sheriff's deputy.

Keeping her young at heart is her 87-year-old boyfriend, Floyd Runyan. And while talking to KATU News, she asked: "Do you know what a cougar is?" Then answering her own question: "A cougar is a woman who goes with a younger man. So I'm an old cougar."

"I think this gal really is extraordinary," said Runyan.

She sure is. During what she thought was just going to be her birthday party, White was awarded the title of honorary sheriff's deputy by the Washington County Sheriff's Office.

At 87, she survived being assaulted, kidnapped and robbed.

"A young man I knew who had done gardening work for me asked if he could use the bathroom. And I said, 'Sure.' And he came in and the next thing I knew he hit me over the back of the head and knocked me down," she said. "He masked my face and he said, 'I'm going to kill you.' And I thought he really was."

The man drove to the bank and drained White's account of $1,200.

"I think I was angry at him. He took all my money. I didn't even have a nickel," White said.

She got a boost of bravery after that attack and agreed to share her story for a documentary that now trains police "to try to teach old ladies – tell your story. Don't be embarrassed. Don't try to keep it secret," White said.

Her work against elder abuse got her that award and now she’s Washington County's first sheriff's deputy.

After reaching 100, White said her next goal is to "just stay healthy, I think. People are rooting for me to have a few more years."

"I really think she's really capable of making 110," Runyan said.

White said people ask her all the time how she snagged someone at 100 when they can't do it at half her age. She told KATU News she just "enjoys them."