Heroic Father of 3 Drowns while Rescuing Others from Riptide ‘He Didn’t Hesitate’

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A father of three is being remembered as a hero after drowning off the South Carolina coast while rescuing swimmers caught in a deadly riptide. Anderson "Chase" Childers, a 38-year-old former police officer and professional baseball player from Dallas, Georgia, was on vacation at Pawleys Island, S.C., with his wife and three young children Sunday when he spotted several people caught in a riptide and swam out to help, Atlanta First News reported. Together with another individual, they rescued all five victims -- but tragically, Childers lost his life in the effort.  

"He didn't hesitate. He jumped in and swam out to them," said Pawleys Island Chief of Police Michael Fanning. "We believe that he saw somebody or he heard something beyond where these people were, and went out to help them, and he became a victim himself."

The police department wrote on X (formerly Twitter), "He died trying to save others." 

At apx 4:45 p.m. we received a call for multiple swimmers in distress near Shell Rd Ocean. One person was missing & a search was initiated by @MidwayFireResQ & PIPD. @USCG arrived on scene to assist. At apx 6:15 the missing man was recovered. We have the family in our prayers.

— Pawleys Island PD (@PawleysIslandPD) July 13, 2025

Childers played baseball for Georgia State University and then the Baltimore Orioles' minor league system before becoming an officer with the Cobb County (Ga.) Police Department. There, he received a lifetime achievement award for saving lives. 

A GoFundMe page for his wife Nataley and their three children -- ages 6, 9 and 10 -- has raised more than $100,000.

In addition to being a former baseball player and police officer, the webpage says, he also was 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," it says. "As a devoted husband and father, he displayed extraordinary courage and selflessness. In a heroic act, he saved a family of five in a moment of crisis in Pawleys Island on Sunday afternoon, putting their lives above his own.

 

"Tragically, after giving everything he had to save them, he was unable to stay above water as the riptide swept him away, ultimately paying the highest sacrifice with his life in front of his three children and wife," it says. "His bravery, kindness, and love will always be remembered."

His mother, Nancy Childers, said he "drowned a hero."

"That's who he was," she wrote on Facebook. "The pain and heartbreak is almost unbearable but God is near the brokenhearted and is carrying us through this incredibly difficult time. Please continue to pray for us but especially his beautiful wife Nat and 3 precious children 6, 9 & 10 who absolutely adored their dad. Our hearts are so deeply grateful for all your prayers and the outpouring of your love, concern, and support during this extremely difficult time."

Photo Credit: ©Facebook/Chase Childers

Michael Foust has covered the intersection of faith and news for 20 years. His stories have appeared in Baptist Press, Christianity Today, The Christian Post, the Leaf-Chronicle, the Toronto Star and the Knoxville News-Sentinel. 

Listen to Michael's Podcast! He is the host of Crosswalk Talk, a podcast where he talks with Christian movie stars, musicians, directors, and more. Hear how famous Christian figures keep their faith a priority in Hollywood and discover the best Christian movies, books, television, and other entertainment. You can find Crosswalk Talk on LifeAudio.com, or subscribe on Apple or Spotify so you never miss an interview that will be sure to encourage your faith.