The sons of a fallen police officer received a wonderful surprise last month when they were given their late father’s patrol car.
Deputy Sam Brownlee was killed in the line of duty in 2010, leaving behind his wife and their two sons, Chase and Tanner. Last month, Officer Brownlee’s Dodge Charger patrol car was put up for auction in order to raise funds for the C.O.P.S Foundation, which helps families of fallen officers. Tanner and Chase decided to try and bid on the car, hoping they could hold onto a small piece of their father.
“It would mean a lot to me and my brother; we’ve been through a lot,” Tanner said before the auction.
The boys started a GoFundMe page, where they began to raise money for the bidding. And with the generous help of supporters they raised what they hoped would be enough to win the car. The boys were disappointed though when another bidder won the car for a whopping $60,000. But that wasn’t the end, the kind stranger – Steve Wells – immediately handed Tanner the keys after winning the car.
“[I realize] how much this car meant to [my dad] — I understand it now,” Tanner said later. “I want to keep that and hold on to it.”
This amazing act of kindness and generosity has given Tanner and Chase a bit of their father back, and given the small county of Weld, Colorado a bit of inspiration. Check out the video below to learn more about Tanner, Chase and their dad.
