Heart-warming: Fallen cop's son loses auction to father's patrol car; receives it as a gift later

The most beautiful thing in this world is to see someone smile. The other best thing is to know you are the reason behind that smile. Something similar to this happened with a US teenager Tanner Brownlee who tried and failed to outbid his father’s squad car – only to get it back again.

Tanner lost his father Sam Brownlee, when he was just 14 years old. His father a Weld County Deputy was killed in the line of duty after a police chase in 2010. Five years down the line, the Weld County Sheriff's Office auctioned off his dad's Dodge Charger to raise money for an organisation named Concerns of Police Survivors (COPS), that provides services for survivors of law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty.

Tanner and his brother Chase were hoping to get one of their dad’s prized possessions home from the Weld Country Sherriff’s office. The 19-year-old admits that this car meant a lot for him and his brother as it had an emotional connect.

To raise money to bid on his father’s squad car, Tanner started a GoFundMe page. When the bidding began the 19-year-old bid first for $2,500 which is equivalent to Rs 1.5 lakh.  However, within minutes the bids were beyond $12,500 which is equivalent to Rs 7.9 lakh.

As the bids reached a whopping Rs 31.8 lakh, Tanner’s limit to spend had clearly come and gone. The car finally went under the hammer for Rs 38.2 lakh and was purchased by a man named Steve Wells, a local rancher.

The auctioneer thanked Wells and handed him over the keys. But, as soon as the keys were handed over to Wells, something strange happened. Wells turned to Tanner and handed over the keys to the 19-year-old by stating that this car now belonged to him.

As the room burst into applause, Tanner hugged this bidder in gratitude. The 19-year-old stated that he had no idea that Wells planned to give away the car to him. Immediately after the auction, Tanner and his younger brother got in the car and drove it back home.

The 19-year-old stated that Well’s benevolent gesture reinstated his faith that there are still good people in the world.