PAWLEYS ISLAND, S.C. — Chase Childers, a former professional baseball player and police officer from Georgia, died on Sunday, July 14, 2025, while trying to rescue swimmers caught in a rip current off the South Carolina coast. He was 38.
The incident occurred around 4:45 p.m. near Pawleys Island, a popular beach town just south of Myrtle Beach. According to the Pawleys Island Police Department, Childers and another bystander entered the water after spotting a group of four to five people struggling against the current. While others made it safely back to shore, Childers was pulled under and could not be immediately located.
After an extensive search involving local police, fire crews, and the U.S. Coast Guard, his body was recovered at approximately 6:15 p.m.
“He died trying to save others,” the police department said in a public statement. “His actions were selfless and heroic.”
Childers was drafted by the Baltimore Orioles in 2009 and spent time in the Minor Leagues before later serving as a police officer in Cobb County, Georgia. Known for his discipline, humility, and commitment to service, he earned the respect of teammates and fellow officers alike.
A GoFundMe campaign launched in the wake of his death describes him as a devoted husband and father of three. “Chase lived a life of service—to his family, his community, and even strangers in need. His final act of bravery reflects exactly who he was,” the campaign reads.
His death serves as a painful reminder of the dangers of rip currents, fast-moving channels of water that can pull swimmers away from shore. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), rip currents can reach speeds of up to 8 feet per second and are the leading cause of weather-related deaths along the Carolina coastlines.
In a statement, Pawleys Island Mayor Brian Henry offered condolences and called for greater awareness.
“This tragedy is heartbreaking. Chase Childers gave his life to protect others. As a town, we’re committed to educating visitors about rip current dangers and ensuring our beaches are not just beautiful—but safe.”
Childers is survived by his wife and three young children. His passing has sparked an outpouring of grief and admiration from the communities he touched—on the ballfield, in uniform, and on the beach where he made his final, heroic stand.
Chase Childers will be remembered not only for how he lived—but for how he gave everything to save others.