Hero Cop Dies Saving 5 from Raging Rip Current in South Carolina

A former Georgia police officer gave his life to save five strangers from drowning—and now, a grieving wife and three children are left to mourn a man hailed as a true American hero.

Chase Childers, 38, died on July 13 after he rushed into deadly surf near Pawleys Island, South Carolina, to help swimmers caught in a violent rip current. The decorated ex-officer—who once played in the Baltimore Orioles’ minor league system—managed to help rescue the group, but never made it back to shore.

His body was found 90 minutes later.

“Mr. Childers died trying to save others,” Pawleys Island Police confirmed in a statement. “He entered the water along with another Good Samaritan to assist 4-5 individuals in distress. Tragically, he was overcome by the same current.”

Midway Fire Rescue and the U.S. Coast Guard scoured the area before recovering Childers’ body.

Childers wasn’t on duty. He wasn’t getting paid. He simply saw lives in danger—and acted.

“Chase ran toward danger,” said longtime friend and fellow officer Marcus Bell. “It’s who he was—on the job and off. He didn’t hesitate.”

Mayor Brian Henry called the death “devastating” and vowed action to prevent similar tragedies. “Town Council will investigate ways to better educate visitors on rip current risks,” he said in a statement. “We send our deepest condolences to the Childers family.”

Though the mayor’s post referenced “recent drownings,” no additional deaths were reported in the incident.

Before moving to South Carolina, Childers served with distinction in Cobb County, Georgia, where he earned a lifetime achievement award for saving multiple lives on the force. He was also a loving husband and father to three children.

“Chase was the kind of man who gave everything to others,” said his widow, Nataley, in a post on a GoFundMe page that has already raised more than $104,000. “He died how he lived—protecting people.”

The fundraiser notes that the money will go toward supporting the grieving family as they navigate an unthinkable loss.

Before donning a uniform, Childers wore a baseball jersey. He played in the Orioles’ minor league system before retiring and turning to law enforcement—a career he embraced fully.

“Whether it was a teammate or a total stranger, Chase had your back,” said Greg Hunt, a former teammate from his minor league days. “He was the real deal.”

This tragedy is just the latest in a series of rip current-related emergencies up and down the Carolina coast. Experts warn that many beachgoers underestimate how dangerous these invisible ocean threats can be.

“These currents can sweep away even the strongest swimmers,” said Coast Guard officer Lt. Jake Farley. “It’s critical to check beach warnings and know how to escape if you’re caught.”

Flags were lowered in Cobb County in honor of Childers. Friends, family, and former colleagues are expected to attend a memorial service this weekend, where he will be remembered not only as a devoted officer—but as a man who gave his life for others.

“Chase is the definition of a hero,” said Bell. “We lost a great one.”

To support the Childers family, donations can be made via their official GoFundMe page.