Authorities said Thursday, helping to rescue a swimmer who was killed over the weekend and was caught in RIP currents off the coast of South Carolina, a one-off police officer and former Baltimore Orioles minor leaguer.
“Chase” Childs, 38, of Anderson, took his life in South Carolina last weekend, saving others selflessly,” the former employer of the Cobb County Police Department in Georgia said in a statement.
According to Georgia State University’s alma mater, the child was a “devoted husband and father.”
The tragedy unfolded at about 4:45pm on Paulies Island, South Carolina, about 25 miles south of Myrtle Beach.
Police said the child and one other person would jump into the water and help four or five swimmers “in pain.”
When the swimmers were safely brought to the beach, no children were found, officials said.
“Sadly, Mr. Child was also caught up in a rift,” the department added. “He died trying to save others.”
Police, Midway Fire and Rescue and Coast Guard searchers found the child around 6:15pm, authorities said.
“We have a family in our prayers,” police said.
The child played for four years in Georgia, and ranked second overall in the school’s greatest leader (120) and sacrifices (28). Scrappy’s two baseman hit 0.307 at .405 on base percentage in his 2009 senior season, slug .467.
The Children joined the Baltimore Orioles Organization, playing for the team’s Gulf Coast League affiliate and for the Appalachian League’s Blue Field Orioles before spiked.
He worked at the Cobb County Police Station between 2011 and 2014.
“Even after he left law enforcement, Chase continued to serve,” Cobb County Police said.
“His actions last weekend were not out of character. They were the embodiment of the same courage and commitment he showed every day as an officer. His sacrifice was the highest form of honor, and we couldn’t be proud to call him one of our own.”
He was survived by his wife Natalie and their three children, police said.
