By Caroline Housworth, Editor-in-Chief
On June 13, 2026, Jalen Shaffer ’22 and Philip LoChirco ’23 were with friends near the south pier of Pigeon Lake Channel in Port Sheldon Township, Mich. According to News Channel 3, after jumping off the pier, LoChirco began struggling in the water, and his friends, including Shaffer, attempted to rescue him. During the rescue attempt, Shaffer also went into distress under the water. Emergency calls informing local officials in Ottawa County about the incident came in at about 1:15 p.m..
The Ottawa County Marine Control was able to recover both bodies from the water. Shaffer, 26, and LoChirco, 24, both died at the scene despite lifesaving efforts by both their friends and the rescue team. Authorities suspect there was no foul play, and the deaths are being treated as accidental drownings, while the investigation remains ongoing.
Memorial services honoring the former Wheaton College football players were held in June following their deaths. LoChirco’s visitation and celebration of life took place at Christ Presbyterian Church in Wheaton, Ill. He is survived by his wife, Emily; his parents, Philip and Kenia LoChirco; his siblings and members of his extended family. Shaffer’s visitation and celebration of life were held at Berean Church in Grand Rapids, Mich. He is survived by his parents, Joel and Sherilyn Shaffer; his sisters, Tiera Dunn, Sahara Shaffer and Ashlyn Shaffer; his grandparents and many extended family members as well.
Both Shaffer and LoChirco were teammates on Wheaton College’s football team. Shaffer played linebacker for four seasons, and LoChirco played on the defensive line for three. Wheaton College Chaplain Angulus Wilson released a statement about the incident on June 15 in an email to the Wheaton community.
“Phil and Jalen were valued members of the Wheaton community,” Wilson said in the email. “Their lives touched many through their friendship, character, and contributions — both on and off the field.”
For LoChirco, his impact and dedication to football and the Wheaton community did not stop when he graduated from Wheaton College in 2023. He went on to coach football at Wheaton Academy, a local Christian high school. Many students who were coached and mentored by him reflected on the impact LoChirco made in their lives.
Charlie Sias, a rising junior at Wheaton Academy, said that LoChirco was one of the defensive coordinators for junior varsity football during his year. During one football game, Sias made a strong defensive play and described how encouraging LoChirco’s reaction was.
“What do you know, the first person running over to me after the play: Coach LoChirco,” he said. “He was more hyped than me, and that really shows how deeply he cared for us.”
Abbott Klassen, a rising junior at Wheaton Academy who also plays football, explained that LoChirco’s Christian faith was the most noticeable aspect about him.
“He was a man of God, and he always showed God’s love through what he did.”
Dawson McLaughlin, a senior business major on the Wheaton football team, got to know LoChirco while working at State Farm, where LoChirco was a sales representative prior to being promoted to a sales manager position. LoChirco oversaw and mentored McLaughlin.
“He taught me a lot about how to ask questions the right way and figure out what people needed,” McLaughlin said. “That eventually helped me a lot when I went to another State Farm office where I actually did really well there because of what he taught me.”
McLaughlin emphasized that LoChirco was very fun and outgoing. This came out uniquely during his time at Wheaton College, where LoChirco was very well known for his “Chirc-Subs.” During the last two years of college, he started a business where he would sell handmade sub sandwiches for people.
He continued the tradition at Wheaton Academy, where he would reward the team with his famous, tasty sub sandwiches for performing well during games.
Wheaton football head coach Jesse Scott said he always appreciated the fun that LoChirco brought to the team in more ways than one.
“His dad mentioned to me that Phil had this unique ability to make fun of you in one moment and be hugging you the next,” he said. “He was the first to celebrate with teammates who were experiencing success on the field.”
Shaffer also dedicated his life after college to spiritually mentoring youth. After graduating from Wheaton College in 2022, he returned to his hometown of Grand Rapids, Mich. He joined the staff of Bridge Street Ministries, a Christian nonprofit serving urban youth, where he spent the past three years building relationships with middle school students and pointing them to Christ through discipleship.
Ryan Waalkes, executive director of Bridge Street Ministries, spoke about Shaffer’s dedication to his role as a site assistant at an after-school site and also as the organization’s finance assistant.
“Jalen was a humble, quiet, yet strong leader who created a sense of stability and consistency in what can be very challenging work,” he said. “He was fiercely committed to the kids that we serve and was always willing to step into anything that we asked him to.”
Shaffer’s character and dedication to serving Christ and his community left a deep sense of loss at the ministry following his death.
“His loss is not something that we will ever move past, but his memory and legacy are something that we will carry with us as we move forward because Jalen set an example of humble, sacrificial love,” Waalkes said. “He showed the importance of simply showing up and loving the people around us with the love of Christ.”
In an article for FOX17, both Shaffer’s brother-in-law, Kyler Dunn, and his father, Joel Shaffer, spoke about the deep impact Shaffer had.
“I look forward to seeing him again someday when we meet again in heaven,” Dunn said. “But for now, I get to live the rest of my life honoring him and ultimately living for our Lord and Savior, Jesus, just like he did.”
During his interview with FOX17, Joel Shaffer spoke about Jalen Shaffer’s lack of hesitancy to try to rescue LoChirco.
“He had a servant heart so he didn’t think twice, and he didn’t hesitate.”
Scott shared that Shaffer’s character reflected his love for Jesus and inspired others to develop similar qualities.
“We talk about his characteristics of meekness, quiet strength and real humility,” he said. “I think when people really consider who Jalen is and what he means to them, they’re challenged to incorporate those characteristics into their own lives.”
When reflecting on how LoChirco and Shaffer would want to be remembered, Scott emphasized they would want Jesus to be the center of it.
“I think they would want readers to live in light of the reality that every day could be their last and they would want people to live in a way so that they have no regrets.”
