Having received his father’s patrol car, the son shared that he drives it daily, describing the experience as sentimental. Brownlee expressed how his story likely resonates with people due to its uplifting nature.
“When people see it, it makes them happy or gives them a feeling that they don’t usually get from the news sometimes,” he explained. “I just like how it’s around Christmas time; people are still watching it, like, ‘Hey, this is a good story, it’s Christmas time.'”
Brownlee expressed deep gratitude to rancher Wells, who purchased the car and generously handed it over. Initially, Wells had intended the car for a women’s shelter, but upon learning of Brownlee’s touching story, he decided to gift it to him.
“He was telling me that he was going to buy the car for the women’s shelter, and then when his son told him my story, he from then on was just like, I’m going to buy the car for him,” Brownlee shared. “For Steve Wells to spend that amount of money on someone he didn’t even know, some kid, some 19-year-old at the time, it’s just awesome for him to do that.”
Driving the car, Brownlee often finds strangers recognizing him. “I’ll go places, and people will be like, ‘Hey, Tanner,'” he explained. “It’s kind of weird that a bunch of people know my face and stuff like that,” he added.
Having lost and regained the car, Brownlee expressed his intention to keep it within the family forever. “Give it to my kids, if I have any,” he said. “It’s just something I want to pass down.”
