DeKalb County teacher drowns after saving girl from rip current off Myrtle Beach

MYRTLE BEACH, Ga. (Atlanta News First) — A DeKalb County teacher and coach died after drowning off the coast of Myrtle Beach after saving a young girl caught in a rip current, according to authorities and family members.

Derrick Moore, 47, jumped into the water Friday evening after spotting the girl in distress. Moore was pulled under by the current. His body was recovered the following morning, nearly a mile from where he entered the water, Myrtle Beach police said.

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

“He is a selfless human being and a generous person, and he will be sorely missed by the community and certainly by us as a family because we deeply love our son,” Suzette Moore, Derrick Moore’s mother, said.

‘He did anything and everything with a smile’

Moore currently worked as a health and physical education teacher at Rockbridge Elementary School. Previously, he worked at Jolly Elementary School. According to the district, counselors are being made available at both schools for students and staff.

The 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.”

A co-worker said Moore taught in the classroom across the hall from her and was the first face she saw every morning. She said returning to class Monday would be difficult.

“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,” said Sherry Weeks, a teacher and Moore’s co-worker.

Faith Caldwell, a tourist, also witnessed the events unfold.

“I mean, 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.

On social media, people are paying tribute to Moore. “Rest in peace, Derrick Moore. Your final act showed the world the kind of man you were,” said one commenter.

The young girl survived. Police have not yet updated her condition.

“He had such a big heart and he actually displayed it on a regular basis,” Suzette said.

This is a developing story. Stay with Atlanta News First as we learn more.