A former MLB prospect turned South Carolina lawman died a hero after selflessly jumping into treacherous waters to save a family of five from rip current — then was swept away in front of his wife and three children.
Anderson “Chase” Childers, 38, was vacationing with his family at Pawleys Island on Sunday afternoon when a woman asked him for help rescuing the distressed swimmers who became stuck in the ocean, his family told WCBD.
The father of three immediately jumped into action and, without hesitation, ran into the water to help the group.
“His first responder instincts kicked in and he went to the water to save people,” Pawleys Island Police Chief Michael Fanning said.
Childers and a good Samaritan helped the swimmers, identified as a family of five, return safely to shore at the popular vacation spot, located 26 miles away from Myrtle Beach.
However, Childers — who had used all his energy to ensure the successful rescue — disappeared in the water and was taken by the rip current in front of his wife, Nataley, and their three kids.
The Coast Guard recovered Childers’ body about 90 minutes after going under, the Pawley Police Department said.
Childers is remembered as a “devoted husband and father” who “displayed extraordinary courage and selflessness,” according to a GoFundMe page set up to support his family.
“His bravery, kindness, and love will always be remembered,” the post read.
Childers was born in Nashville, Tenn., before his parents and younger brother relocated to Kennesaw, Ga., where he played baseball for North Cobb Christian High School and later attended Georgia State University, according to the school’s website.
The hero father of three was then picked up by the Baltimore Orioles and played second base and shortstop in the team’s minor league system until 2010.
However, Childers later put down his glove and put on a shield for the Cobb County Police Department in Georgia, where he served as a uniformed patrol officer for over three years.
Childers received a lifetime achievement award for “saving several lives” during his time with the department, according to the GoFundMe post.
“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 told WWNYTV.
The Oregon Park Baseball Association, based out of Cobb County, Ga., said on Facebook 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 organization 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’ death is the fifth drowning on Pawleys Island since June 2023, and it’s the second one in the last month, WCBD reported.
Fanning said that police are now taking more precautions to ensure the public’s safety and plan to educate visitors and residents on how to deal with 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 told the outlet.
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