Troy E. Strickland died attempting to save a girl from drowning, Emerald Isle, North Carolina, July 25, 2018. A girl who had entered the Atlantic Ocean shouted for help and waved her arms in the air. Warning flags advising people against entering the water were posted on the beach, and dangerous surf warnings had been issued, including one warning of a rip current. Strickland, 41, public defender’s office investigator, was vacationing at the beach with his family when he became aware of the girl’s plight. Despite being urged not to enter the water, Strickland ran into the ocean and swam toward the girl, who was about 125 feet from shore. Strickland ultimately disappeared from view and was submerged beneath the surface of the water. Lifeguards shortly entered the water and removed Strickland and the girl. The girl was given oxygen at the scene; she was not injured. Strickland, who was unconscious, was transported to a hospital, but could not be revived. He had drowned.
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