Former police officer drowns saving family in selfless beach rescue
Heroic Rescue Attempt
Former Georgia police officer and baseball player Anderson “Chase” Childers, 38, drowned while rescuing swimmers caught in a dangerous rip current off Pawleys Island, South Carolina. The Pawleys Island Police Department said, “He died trying to save others.”
Background
Childers, from Kennesaw, Georgia, served as a Cobb County police officer for over three years. Before law enforcement, he was a talented baseball player, drafted by the Baltimore Orioles in 2009 and playing in their minor league system.
Tragic Loss
Childers saved a family of five but was swept away by the strong current. His wife and three children witnessed the rescue. The Orioles expressed sadness, saying, “We are saddened to learn of Chase’s passing and send our deepest condolences to his family and loved ones.”
Legacy and Support
A GoFundMe has raised over $230,000 for his family, describing him as “a loving husband and father” who “heroically saved a family of five… putting their lives above his own.” His bravery and kindness “will never be forgotten.”
