A former MLB prospect turned South Carolina lawman died a hero after selflessly leaping into treacherous waters to avoid wasting 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 together with his household at Pawleys Island on Sunday afternoon when a girl requested him for assist rescuing the distressed swimmers who turned 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 avoid wasting individuals,” Pawleys Island Police Chief Michael Fanning mentioned.
Childers and an excellent Samaritan helped the swimmers, recognized as a household of 5, return safely to shore on the in style trip spot, positioned 26 miles away from Myrtle Seashore.
Nonetheless, 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 below, the Pawley Police Division mentioned.
Childers is remembered as a “devoted husband and father” who “displayed extraordinary braveness and selflessness,” in response to a GoFundMe web page arrange to help his household.
“His bravery, kindness, and love will all the time 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 response to the college’s web site.
The hero father of three was then picked up by the Baltimore Orioles and performed second base and shortstop within the staff’s minor league system till 2010.
Nonetheless, Childers later put down his glove and placed on a protect 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 a number of lives” throughout his time with the division, in response to the GoFundMe put up.
“We’re saddened to study of Chase’s passing, and ship our deepest condolences to his household and family members,” a spokesperson for the Orioles advised WWNYTV.
The Oregon Park Baseball Affiliation, primarily based out of Cobb County, Ga., mentioned on Fb that Childers “was one among our personal, a revered, well-loved coach and a pillar of our neighborhood.”
“In the event you had the privilege of realizing Chase, you knew he was an excellent man, selfless, brave, and deeply dedicated to his household,” the group wrote.
“We as a neighborhood want to come back collectively now greater than ever and raise up Nataley, Barrett, Brooks and Bella, giving them as a lot love and help as attainable.”
Childers’ demise 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 at the moment are taking extra precautions to make sure the general public’s security and plan to coach guests and residents on take care of rip currents.
“We’re going to place up additional signage within the areas which can be susceptible to those rip currents. Now we have life rings in any respect seashore accesses, however I believe we have to enhance life rings in sure areas which can be hazard susceptible,” the Pawleys Island Police Chief advised the outlet.
