Nashville Police Officer Drowns After River Rescue Of Suicidal Woman

MADISON, TN — Nashville Fire Department rescue divers have recovered the body of a Metro Police officer who drowned in the Cumberland River after he and another officer saved a suicidal woman off Neely's Bend early Thursday.

Eric Mumaw, 44, an 18-year veteran of the police force, died after he and a second police officer jumped into the river near Peeler Park early Thursday morning to rescue a 40-year-old woman who apparently drove her car into the water.

Police were called by a family member of the woman at 4:19 to say she was suicidal and at the park's boat ramp, according to police spokesman Don Aaron. Mumaw and fellow officer Nick Diamond talked to the woman and believed they had convinced her to come out of the car. As the driver's door opened, however, the car went out of park and rolled down the ramp and into the cold water.

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Aaron said the officers ran down the ramp in an effort to save the woman but lost their balance at the submerged edge of the ramp and fall into the river. The motion of the car pulled Mumaw and Diamond into deeper water. Aaron said Diamond was able to grab Mumaw, but lost his grip. Diamond and the woman swam to the shore.

A third officer, Trent Craig, was onshore and saw Mumaw's head above the waterline. He dashed through the woods at the river's edge and jumped in the water in an effort to save Mumaw, but he was unable to reach him, according to Aaron.

Diamond is recovering and in stable condition at Vanderbilt University Medical Center. The woman is at Skyline Medical Center. Aaron said she is under investigation.

“We will have officers dealing with her this morning and it would be premature for me to say specifically what will happen to her later today," Aaron said. "The initial report from officers at Skyline is that she shows signs of impairment. She is being detained and is very much under criminal investigation by this police department."

Boats and helicopters from the fire department, Metro Police, as well as Hendersonville Police and a number of other agencies. were deployed. Mumaw's death was confirmed by Metro Police at 8:24 a.m. The fire department diver found Mumaw's body 70 yards from the boat ramp about 15 feet below the surface.

At a press conference, a tearful Metro Police Chief Steve Anderson remembered Mumaw as a well-regarded officer who enjoyed his third shift work.

"I know he died doing what he loves. He loved his midnight shift and he gave his life," he said "I know his whole detail is over there. They're grieving. They're going to miss him."

Mumaw was a decorated veteran of the police force. He won MNPD's Exemplary Service Award in 2003. In 2007, he received a departmental commendation after rescuing a baby from a stolen SUV, and in 2011 he was awarded the Life Saving Award as part of a group of officers who saved a woman from a drunken, armed relative.

“Our worst fears were realized today when Officer Mumaw was recovered deceased from the Cumberland River after having given his life to save a woman in distress. Officer Mumaw dedicated his life to the safety and protection of us all, and today he gave his life to that calling. My thoughts and prayers are with Officer Mumaw’s family and friends and all of our Metro Nashville Police Officers today," Mayor Megan Barry said in a statement.

“I want to thank the men and women of our Metro Nashville Police Department and Nashville Fire Department, as well as the city of Hendersonville, Tennessee Highway Patrol, Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency, and Army Corps of Engineers who all came together this morning to assist in the search for Officer Mumaw.”

This is a developing story. Stay with Patch for updates.

Image via Metro Nashville Police