Former Baltimore Orioles Prospect Chase Childers Dies Saving Swimmers In South Carolina

A one-time constabulary officer and erstwhile Baltimore Orioles insignificant leaguer died complete nan weekend helping to rescue swimmers caught successful a rip existent disconnected nan South Carolina coast, officials said Thursday.

Anderson "Chase" Childers, 38, "lost his life this past play successful South Carolina while selflessly redeeming others," his erstwhile employers pinch the Cobb County Police Department successful Georgia said successful a statement.

Childers was a "devoted hubby and father" who "displayed bonzer courageousness and selflessness successful his past moments," according to his alma mater, Georgia State University.

The calamity unfolded astatine astir 4:45 p.m. Sunday successful Pawleys Island, South Carolina, astir 25 miles southbound of Myrtle Beach.

Childers and 1 different personification jumped into nan h2o to thief 4 aliases 5 swimmers "who were successful distress," police said.

When nan swimmers were safely brought to shore, Childers couldn't beryllium found, officials said.

“Sadly, Mr. Childers was caught successful nan rip current, arsenic well,” nan section added. “He died trying to prevention others.”

Police, Midway Fire Rescue and Coast Guard searchers recovered Childers astatine astir 6:15 p.m., authorities said.

"We person nan family successful our prayers," constabulary said.

Childers played 4 years astatine Georgia State and is nan school's all-time leader successful walks (120) and No. 2 wide successful sacrifices (28). The scrappy 2nd baseman deed .307 pinch a .405 on-base percent and slugged .467 successful his elder play successful 2009.

Childers joined nan Baltimore Orioles statement and played connected nan team's Gulf Coast League connection and nan Bluefield Orioles of nan Appalachian League earlier hanging up his spikes.

He worked for nan Cobb County Police Department betwixt 2011 and 2014.

"Even aft leaving rule enforcement, Chase continued to serve," Cobb County constabulary said.

"His actions this past play were not retired of character, they were nan embodiment of nan aforesaid bravery and committedness he showed each time arsenic an officer. His sacrifice is nan highest shape of honor, and we could not beryllium prouder to telephone him 1 of our own."

He's survived by his wife, Nataley, and their 3 children, constabulary said.