47-year-old good Samaritan dies rescuing young girl caught in rip current at the beach, police say

MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. (WMBF/Atlanta News First/Gray News) - A Georgia teacher died after jumping into the ocean to save a young girl caught in a rip current in South Carolina.

Horry County Chief Deputy Coroner Tamara Willard identified the swimmer as 47-year-old Derrick Moore, of Loganville, Georgia.

Myrtle Beach police responded to the scene at 7:53 p.m. Friday near 10th Avenue South.

Moore had entered the water to help a young girl struggling in a rip current. Moore was able to get the girl to safety, but was then pulled underwater by the rip current, according to Myrtle Beach police.

Moore’s body was recovered the following morning near 11th Avenue South, according to Myrtle Beach police.

The incident took place after lifeguards went off duty. The condition of the young girl is unknown.

Faith Caldwell, a tourist, witnessed the events unfold.

“Jesus laid down his life for people he didn’t even know and that’s how I feel that guy probably was thinking,” Caldwell said.

Moore’s family said he had never met the girl before jumping in to save her.

Moore was a health and physical education teacher at Rockbridge Elementary School in DeKalb County, Georgia.

Coworker Sherry Weeks said Moore was also a football coach.

“He was just an amazing, amazing man,” Weeks said. “That’s who he was. He was our hero.”

Weeks taught in the classroom across the hall from Moore and said he was the first face she saw every morning.

“Around the school, for the children, he was our hero. He did anything and everything with a smile. Never saw him upset, always happy. Just the energetic, polite, special hero,” Weeks said.

The DeKalb County School District said Moore was a “dedicated educator who cared deeply for his students and school community,” adding that he “made a meaningful impact on the students, families, colleagues, and communities he served.”

The Myrtle Beach Police Department, Myrtle Beach Fire Department and U.S. Coast Guard searched for Moore until his body was found.