A former MLB prospect turned South Carolina lawman died a hero after selflessly leaping into treacherous waters to save lots of a household of 5 from rip present — then was swept away in entrance of his spouse and three kids.
Anderson “Chase” Childers, 38, was vacationing along with his household at Pawleys Island on Sunday afternoon when a girl requested him for assist rescuing the distressed swimmers who grew to become caught within the ocean, his household advised WCBD.
The daddy of three instantly jumped into motion and, with out hesitation, bumped into the water to assist the group.
“His first responder instincts kicked in and he went to the water to save people,” Pawleys Island Police Chief Michael Fanning mentioned.
Childers and Samaritan helped the swimmers, recognized as a household of 5, return safely to shore on the well-liked trip spot, positioned 26 miles away from Myrtle Seashore.
Nevertheless, Childers — who had used all his power to make sure the profitable rescue — disappeared within the water and was taken by the rip present in entrance of his spouse, Nataley, and their three youngsters.
The Coast Guard recovered Childers’ physique about 90 minutes after going beneath, the Pawley Police Division mentioned.
Childers is remembered as a “devoted husband and father” who “displayed extraordinary courage and selflessness,” in accordance with a GoFundMe web page arrange to assist his household.
“His bravery, kindness, and love will always be remembered,” the put up learn.
Childers was born in Nashville, Tenn., earlier than his mother and father and youthful brother relocated to Kennesaw, Ga., the place he performed baseball for North Cobb Christian Excessive College and later attended Georgia State College, in accordance with the varsity’s web site.
The hero father of three was then picked up by the Baltimore Orioles and performed second base and shortstop within the workforce’s minor league system till 2010.
Nevertheless, Childers later put down his glove and placed on a defend for the Cobb County Police Division in Georgia, the place he served as a uniformed patrol officer for over three years.
Childers acquired a lifetime achievement award for “saving several lives” throughout his time with the division, in accordance with the GoFundMe put up.
“We are saddened to learn of Chase’s passing, and send our deepest condolences to his family and loved ones,” a spokesperson for the Orioles advised WWNYTV.
The Oregon Park Baseball Affiliation, based mostly out of Cobb County, Ga., mentioned on Fb that Childers “was one of our own, a respected, well-loved coach and a pillar of our community.”
“If you had the privilege of knowing Chase, you knew he was a great man, selfless, courageous, and deeply devoted to his family,” the group wrote.
“We as a community need to come together now more than ever and lift up Nataley, Barrett, Brooks and Bella, giving them as much love and support as possible.”
Childers’ dying is the fifth drowning on Pawleys Island since June 2023, and it’s the second within the final month, WCBD reported.
Fanning mentioned that police are actually taking extra precautions to make sure the general public’s security and plan to coach guests and residents on easy methods to take care of rip currents.
“We’re going to put up extra signage in the areas that are prone to these rip currents. We have life rings at all beach accesses, but I think we need to increase life rings in certain areas that are hazard prone,” the Pawleys Island Police Chief advised the outlet.
