His Father's Patrol Car

Deputy Sam Brownlee's patrol car.

Back in November of 2010 Weld County Sheriff's Deputy Sam Brownlee was involved in a high speed chase with a male suspect. When the man became involved in an altercation with officers, he grabbed Deputy Brownlee's gun and shot him three times, killing him. Deputy Brownlee died in the line of duty that day, leaving two sons, Tanner, 15 years old at the time, and Chase, then age 16.

Both Tanner and Chase retained a few mementos that continue to remind them of their father, such as his old motorcycle jacket. Tanner said, "Just everything I can get means a lot to me."



And so, years later, came the day that the Sheriff's Office was to auction off the patrol car that Sam Brownlee had driven during his patrols. The money raised through this auction raises goes to fund Concerns of Police Survivors, a group that helps the family members of fallen officers, just like the Brownlees.

Deputy Brownlee's patrol car was one of very few that had been assigned specifically to one deputy. And Deputy Brownlee took his responsibility seriously, making sure it was in good repair, having it checked whenever something wasn't quite right with it, washing and even buffing it up to a shine. Both of his sons were well aware that their father's patrol car meant quite a lot to him.

The brothers had managed to raise over $3300, so that Tanner could make a bid and maybe even buy the old patrol Dodge Charger. Its book value was listed at $12,500 in mint condition, so the young men thought they had a chance.

It was raining outside, so the auction was held inside. Close to the time that the bidding began, Tanner put in their bid, but the bids climbed much higher than they could afford to offer. They were consoling themselves with the thought that at least they had had a chance and were able to offer a bid.

Finally the hammer came down, and the winning bid of $60,000 was announced. Steve Wells, a local rancher, had made the winning bid and he went up to receive the keys to the patrol car. But instead of returning to his seat, he walked over to Tanner and gave him the keys. It turned out that, even though Steve had never met Deputy Brownlee's sons, he had bid for the car in order to do what he just did - hand the keys to Deputy Brownlee's sons. And Steve never said anything about why he did what he did.

Tanner Brownlee with his dad's patrol car - and the keys.

As for Tanner? He's quite happy that he has this huge memento from his dad, a patrol car on which his father lavished so much care. Tanner said, "This is just so huge. I mean, me and my dad built a fence and stuff, but having something I can use and drive around, it just means a lot." I'm sure his dad, Deputy Brownlee, is smiling down on the sons who have been so lucky to receive such a cherished remembrance of their father and the work he loved.

Steve Wells (in hat) hugging Tanner Brownlee.

Thanks to this article from the Washington Post: http://www.washingtonpost.com/news/morning-mix/wp/2015/05/14/the-unexpected-twist-after-son-of-fallen-deputy-is-outbid-for-his-late-fathers-cruiser/.

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