An 11-year-old boy has been found dead two days after he was hit by a wave at a Texas beach and swept out to sea over Memorial Day weekend.

Officials said Joshua Lahai was visiting Surfside Beach with members of his youth football team when he was hit by a large wave at about 5:30 p.m. local time on Sunday, May 24, according to CBS affiliate KFDM and ABC affiliate KTRK.

At a press conference on Tuesday, May 26, Surfside Beach Police Chief Phillip Hester indicated that Joshua was found dead earlier that day.

Hester said Officer Christopher Redmond was patrolling Beach Drive on Tuesday when he spoke with fishermen who said he was wade fishing when he felt “something” bump up against his leg.

The officer subsequently jumped in the water and found Joshua’s body floating about 150 yards offshore, according to the police chief. He then brought Joshua’s body ashore in the 300 block of Beach Drive.

“It was a challenge, but I didn’t think at all,” Redmond told reporters on Tuesday. “My job was to get the body in [and] bring closure to the family.”

Joshua’s body was found anywhere between a half and three-quarters of a mile east of where he was hit by the wave and entered the water, Hester said. The boy’s family has been notified of his death, he added.

“Although it was a tragic day, at least he’s home,” the police chief told reporters.

Hester said a “young man” told him that Joshua was out playing on a sandbar when he and others got lifted up by the water, according to ABC affiliate KVUE.

“When they came back down, they weren’t touching, panicked a little bit, and then the wave started crashing. Joshua went underneath,” the police chief explained.

Hester said crews found the shorts Joshua was wearing at the time of the incident about 24 hours after authorities were alerted to his disappearance, according to KVUE.

Joshua was a member of the Southwest Broncos of the Fort Bend Youth Football League, according to Chron.

In a statement, the league asked the community to “continue to uplift one another, and remind our youth that this community is built on more than football.”

“In times like these, the little league football community comes together as one family,” the league stated. “We stand with the Southwest Broncos during this difficult time and send our thoughts, prayers, strength, and love to their players, coaches, families, and supporters.”

When asked what advice he would offer in the wake of the incident, Hester said, “keep and eye on your kids.” He also spoke about the importance of wearing a flotation device when necessary.

“This is the Gulf of Mexico, and it’s unforgiving,” the police chief said, adding that families should not allow kids to swim “past your limitations.”

He continued, “Unfortunately, if your kid’s 100 feet out and they go under, there is no saving them. Life vests are important.”