Loomis resident and Placer County’s Sheriff, Ed Bonner, has been chosen as the 2008 Distinguished Citizen of the Year by the Golden Empire Council, Boy Scouts of America.

Bonner will be honored by the Boy Scouts at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 14, at the Sunset Center in Rocklin.

Bonner said the award is a “wonderful honor.” He’s also very appreciative of the Empire Council’s recognition.

“I’m just humbled. I just do what I can as a community member and father,” he said.

Bonner’s involvement in community organizations is extensive.

He helped found and continues to lead Explorer Post 901, a co-ed youth program teaching vocational skills with an emphasis on law enforcement. He is the liaison between Scout Troop 12, where he achieved the Eagle Scout rank in 1965, and their chartering organization, the Loomis Lions Club.

He also serves on advisory boards including Sutter Health, PRIDE Industries and the Boys and Girls Club of Auburn.

Bonner, a 1969 Del Oro High School graduate, is an active booster of the school. He joined the Placer County Sheriff’s Department in 1974, a year after graduating from UC Berkeley. He was first elected sheriff in 1994 and is currently president of the California State Sheriffs’ Association.

For information about attending the Distinguished Citizen dinner, contact Dave Hagar at 929-1417 or dhagar @gecbsa.org.