Son couldn't afford to buy fallen deputy dad’s car at auction — then winning bidder gave him the surprise of a lifetime
Children might have special memories attached to things that belonged to their parents. A fallen deputy's son had such a memory with his dad's patrol car and hoped to get it at an auction. But unfortunately, the bid went really high and the man, Tanner Brownlee, couldn't afford to bid any further. He gave up at one point till a rancher, Steve Wells, who ended up making the highest bid, had a special plan in store for Tanner, per CBS Colorado's YouTube channel.
The Weld County Sheriff's Deputy, Sam Brownlee, had a patrol car before he died in the line of duty in 2010. The car was returned to the authorities and was about to be auctioned outside the Sheriff's office in May 2015. However, as it was raining, the auction was moved inside. The fallen deputy's son was also present among all the bidders in the room and hoped to take his dad's car home. The man was advised to put his hand up fast to make a bid. However, bids kept coming in and the price went higher than Tanner could afford. "We tried," the man told someone with teary eyes. But Wells was in the room too and decided to bid on the car.
He ended up making the highest bid and got the car as everyone cheered for him. But the moment he received the keys, he turned around and handed them over to the son. "Hey Tanner, here's your car." People in the room clapped at the man's generous gesture for Tanner. "This is so huge. I mean, me and my dad built a fence and stuff, but you know, like, having something that I can use and drive around that he drove around, it just means a lot." Tanner gave Wells a big hug at that moment. He eventually drove the car home with his brother, Chase and was super thankful for the gesture. "It just means so much to me. I thank everyone for that."
Sheriff Reams was also at the auction that day and Tanner met Wells and the Sheriff at Wells's ranch 10 years after the auction. "They reminisce about the 2015 auction and the memories Tanner had with his father’s car," per a Facebook Post by the Weld County Sheriff's office. "In a noble gesture, Wells gifts Tanner a 2016 Dodge Hell Cat on the anniversary of the 2015 auction." Sheriff Reams personally polished the car for Tanner, who was hesitant to accept such a generous gift at first. In the end, he accepted the gift, which represented the bond he had formed with the Sheriff and the rancher over the years.
People shared their thoughts on the story in the comments section of the Facebook Post and appreciated everything the men did for Tanner. Tammy Alfaro wrote, "Best man in Weld ever besides my Aunt and Uncle, who retired years ago from the WCSO." Bruce Ayers commented, "Weld County, Colorado, at its best...we have great people here... help us protect the legacy of Western life." Danny Hart remarked, "That's awesome. Steve Wells and Sheriff Reams are great people." Adolfo Rizo shared, "Rip Sam. You helped change my future."