A man drowns in Lake Michigan saving two children

(CNN) – A Missouri man drowned in Lake Michigan on Sunday trying to rescue two children in distress, according to the Racine County Sheriff’s Office.

The man has been identified as Thomas J. Walker, 40, and the Sheriff’s Office said he died helping young relatives “while fighting in the waters of Lake Michigan.”

“He was a kind soul and an amazing uncle to his niece and nephews. And how we lost him is a testament to how great he was, an uncle and a versatile man. (We) never met a person who didn’t like him. We miss him so much, “Walker’s family said in a release issued by the Sheriff’s Office.

Walker is the fourth person to drown on the Racine County beaches of Lake Michigan this summer, said Sgt. Michael Luell of the Racine County Sheriff’s Office.

“The Sheriff’s Office commends the heroic actions of the man who helped save the lives of these two young children. Our thoughts and prayers go out to him, his family, and his loved ones. We also encourage people to take the time to investigate current lake conditions before entering Lake Michigan and take all necessary precautions. This, like the other unfortunate drownings this summer, is tragic, incredibly sad and avoidable, “Sheriff Christopher Schmaling said in a release posted on Facebook.