A Georgia elementary school teacher and father of four died after entering the ocean to save a young girl caught in a rip current off Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. Derrick Moore, 47, was recognized as a hero for his actions, which occurred after lifeguards had finished their shifts.
Moore entered the water near 10th Avenue South on Friday evening after observing the girl struggling in the rip current, according to the Myrtle Beach Police Department. He successfully brought the girl to safety but was subsequently pulled underwater by the current and disappeared.
Moore’s body was recovered on Saturday afternoon after a search by local authorities. His daughter told WRAL that her father did not know the girl he saved. "He was a great father and we are all going to miss him," she said in a statement.
The DeKalb County School District confirmed Moore taught at Rockbridge Elementary School, where students affectionately called him "Coach." The district released a statement expressing deep sadness over his passing, noting his meaningful impact on students, families, and colleagues.
Georgia Governor Brian Kemp also paid tribute to Moore, calling him a "hero" and offering prayers for his family and the DeKalb County community.
Moore was also an accomplished athlete. Samford University, where he graduated in 2001, reported that he competed in football and track and field. The university remembered him as a "beloved teacher" and "true hero."