Nashville Police Officer Drowning: Thousands Mourn Officer Eric Mumaw at Memorial Service (WATCH)

MADISON, TN — Hundreds of law enforcement officers from across the state joined with dignitaries and thousands of people from throughout Tennessee at Madison's Cornerstone Church Monday to remember the life and service of fallen Metro Nashville Police officer Eric Mumaw, who drowned in the Cumberland River near Peeler Park early Thursday morning in a dramatic water rescue of an apparently suicidal woman.

Eulogized by Sgt. Robert Weaver, Mumaw — a decorated 18-year-veteran of the Metro Nashville Police — was remembered for his big smile.

"That smile could take up half his face," Weaver said. "I think it could take up half this room. But Eric was more than a big smile. He was a lifesaver."

Watch the full service:

Mumaw and Weaver became fast friends during their time in the academy. Mumaw was later Weaver's best man.

He said his friend was a hero and a lifesaver, but that it was his smile that should inspire.

Metro Chief of Police Steve Anderson recounted both sides of Mumaw's service. The hero who won commendations for rescuing a baby from inside a stolen car and who won a Life Saving Award for protecting a woman from a relative drunkenly wielding a sword. The hero who, in a ceremony earlier Monday morning, was posthumously awarded the MNPD's highest honor, the Medal of Valor.

But also, the smiling man who knew that sometimes heroism doesn't have to be so dramatic.

Anderson shared the story of 11-year-old Xavier Maffei, who was paired with Mumaw during the annual "Shop with a Cop" event last Christmas.

Xavier told Channel 4 he got some helicopters and a basketball goal.

"He was a good man. I wish he was my father and stuff," Xavier said. "Because he inspired me to grow up and stuff and be a better man."

That, the chief said, was better than any medal.

"No one could receive any higher honor or tribute than this child gave Eric Mumaw, the police officer and the man," he said.

The service included "words of comfort" from Mayor Megan Barry who told Mumaw's family that their son was one of Nashville's favorite sons, musical tributes from Billy Ray Cyrus and Jamey Johnson singing "Some Gave All" and Vince Gill with "Go Rest High on That Mountain" and the standard honors for a fallen officer: the 21-gun salute, the playing of "Taps" and the Final Call over the police radio:

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At 11:20 a.m., just before Mumaw's memorial began, Juli Glisson, 40, was booked into Davidson County Jail, charged with aggravated vehicular homicide and probation violation. Her bond is set at $150,000.

Mumaw along with officers Trent Craig and Nick Diamond were speaking to Glisson on the boat ramp at Peeler Park on Neely's Bend around 4:30 Thursday morning, after a family reported that she was drunk and suicidal. According to investigators, Craig reached into the car to keep Glisson from putting the car into gear.

As Mumaw opened the driver's side door, police say Glisson shifted the car out of park, causing it to roll down the ramp. Mumaw and Diamond went with the car, lost their footing on the edge of the ramp and went into the Cumberland River.

Diamond lost his grip on Mumaw, who was pulled into deeper water. Craig ran from the shoreline into the water to try to save his colleague, but was unsuccessful. A Nashville Fire Department diver discovered Mumaw's body around 8:30 a.m.

Glisson's boyfriend, Kevin Hurt, told WSMV that she went to Smyrna's StoneCrest Medical Center on Wednesday because she was suicidal, but was told she couldn't stay because she did not have health insurance.

A vigil was held at Peeler Park over the weekend and an online petition is calling for the park to be renamed for Mumaw.

Image via Metro Nashville Police