Chase Childers, a former professional baseball player briefly signed by the Baltimore Orioles in 2009, tragically lost his life over the weekend while trying to rescue a group of swimmers caught in a dangerous rip current off the coast of South Carolina.
Childers, 39, died Sunday afternoon after entering the ocean near Pawleys Island, a quiet coastal community about 25 miles south of Myrtle Beach, according to local authorities.
The Pawleys Island Police Department reported that Childers entered the water around 4:45 p.m. alongside another person to help four or five swimmers who were struggling against a strong current. When emergency responders arrived, Childers was the only person unaccounted for. His body was recovered at approximately 6:15 p.m. following a coordinated search involving police, firefighters, and the U.S. Coast Guard.
“He died trying to save others,” the police department said in a public statement honoring his bravery.
A Life of Service and Sacrifice
Though Childers’ professional baseball career was brief — drafted by the Baltimore Orioles in 2009 and later playing in the minor leagues — his commitment to serving others extended well beyond the field. After leaving baseball, Childers became a police officer in Cobb County, Georgia, where he earned a lifetime achievement award for heroism in the line of duty, including saving multiple lives.
His legacy of selflessness was evident in his final moments.
“We are devastated by the tragic loss of our beloved Chase,” his family wrote in a statement on a GoFundMe page established to support his wife and children. “It feels surreal, incredibly hard to grasp, and profoundly unfair.”
The fundraiser, which has already raised over $150,000, paints a portrait of a man deeply cherished by his family, friends, and community.
“Chase Childers was a remarkably talented man of many things,” the statement continued. “He was a former professional baseball player, a dedicated police officer, a skilled fisherman, and a builder capable of constructing anything he envisioned.”
“Most importantly, he was a loving son, a dedicated brother, a treasured friend, an exceptional father to his three wonderful children, and the husband of his beautiful wife, Nataley, who had been his soulmate and best friend since they were teenagers.”
A Community Mourns a Hero
The loss has sent ripples through multiple communities — from the baseball world to law enforcement and beyond.
While Major League Baseball has yet to release an official statement, many former teammates, colleagues, and friends have taken to social media to share their memories and condolences.
Local officials are using the tragedy to remind beachgoers of the dangers of rip currents, which can occur even in calm weather and can quickly turn deadly.
Donations in memory of Chase Childers can be made through the family’s verified GoFundMe campaign, which supports his wife, Nataley, and their three children as they navigate this unimaginable loss.