NEWS

Nashville police officer dies after dramatic rescue in Cumberland River

Natalie Neysa Alund, and Holly Meyer

The Tennessean

Eric Mumaw gave his life to save another.

The veteran Metro police officer ran into the Cumberland River early Thursday trying to save a driver whose car was quickly sinking beneath the surface of the frigid water. The current pulled Mumaw, 44, further from the bank, turning the dramatic rescue into a frantic search for the officer’s body.

"I know he died doing what he loves,” Metro Police Chief Steve Anderson said, fighting through tears as he spoke near the river bank off Neelys Bend Road in Madison.

The rescue began with a 4:16 a.m. phone call to the Metro Emergency Communications Center. A family member of 40-year-old Juli Glisson reported that Glisson was in a vehicle at E.N. Peeler Park boat ramp and had a history of being suicidal, Metro police spokesman Don Aaron said.

Within five minutes, Mumaw and Officers Nick Diamond and Trent Craig had arrived and spotted Glisson inside the car at the edge of the water, Aaron said. Mumaw and Craig stood on the driver’s side and Diamond took the passenger’s side. For several minutes, they tried to persuade her to leave the car.

“At one point, they thought she was actually going to come out of the car and go with the officers,” Aaron said.

Craig reached through the driver’s side window to prevent Glisson from putting the car in gear as Mumaw tried to open the door. But police think Glisson shifted the car into gear, and the vehicle rolled down the boat ramp into the river.

Mumaw and Diamond moved with the car, trying to save Glisson, Aaron said. She was still inside it.

The submerged end of the boat ramp ended abruptly, causing the two officers to lose their balance and fall deeper into the river, Aaron said. The motion of the car going into the river swept the officers further out. Diamond tried to grab hold of Mumaw, but he lost the slight grasp he had.

“Officer Mumaw was struggling. He was in despair in the river,” Aaron said. “You understand how cold the water was and the shock to the body, and Officer Diamond was unable to continue his rescue efforts for fear of losing his own life.”

Diamond was able to reach the river bank. Mumaw was not.

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Craig saw the scene unfold from the boat ramp. He ran through the woods along the river bank and spotted Mumaw’s head just above the water and jumped in. The water reached his neck as he tried to save his colleague. He was unable to reach him.

Nashville Fire Department personnel quickly arrived in boats and began searching the banks of the river for survivors. They spotted Glisson, who had escaped the car and swam to the river’s edge, Aaron said. She was taken to TriStar Skyline Medical Center in stable condition.

Glisson is under investigation, Aaron said. She has a history of misdemeanor convictions, Tennessee Bureau of Investigation and Nashville court records show.

Diamond was taken to Vanderbilt University Medical Center, treated and released. Craig was able to stay on scene and warm up in the back of an ambulance, Aaron said.

About a half-dozen boats and several helicopters scoured the Cumberland River for the missing officer. Emergency crews from several agencies, including the fire department, the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency and the Tennessee Highway Patrol, joined the search and rescue efforts.

Just after 8 a.m., a fire department diver found Mumaw’s body less than 100 yards from the boat dock.

Condolences poured in to the police department and on social media as word of Mumaw’s death and heroic actions spread across the city and beyond. Many shared their memories and praised Mumaw’s nearly two decades of service on the police department. He had been recognized throughout his career for going above and beyond his duty.

The day's events became a tragic reminder of the dangers facing police officers as they work to protect residents.

“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," Mayor Megan Barry said. "Officer Mumaw dedicated his life to the safety and protection of us all, and today he gave his life to that calling."

Mumaw is the 18th Metro police officer to die in the line of duty since the Metropolitan government was formed in 1963. The three previous officers to die on the job were killed while working crashes throughout the city. Officer Michael Petrina died on May 10, 2014. About a decade earlier, Officer Christy Dedman died July 19, 2004, and Officer Candace Ripp died Dec. 8, 2001.

Flags are flown at half-staff outside the Madison precinct on Thursday, Feb. 2, 2017.

Barry ordered flags at half-staff at city buildings. The Korean Veterans Boulevard Bridge and the Historic Metro Courthouse were illuminated in blue lights Thursday night in honor of the officer.

Gov. Bill Haslam called the incident a “tragic situation” and offered his assistance to the mayor.

“They volunteer to go into dangerous situations every day, and obviously we’re really sorry for his family and friends for the loss,” Haslam said.

Councilman Bill Pridemore, who represents the Peeler Park area and served in the Metro police department for 33 years, said he was awoken by a dozen emergency vehicles as they were heading toward the distressed woman shortly after 4 a.m.

When he found out a police officer was missing, he headed to the scene.

“Naturally, I’m devastated,” said Pridemore, who did not know Mumaw personally. “As expected, everyone’s very somber and upset. He was a fine cop, a very well-liked officer. He volunteered for and enjoyed the midnight shift, which surprised me — not many people do.

“It’s just a sad thing, not only for us, but for the other officers. That’s something they’re going to have to deal with the rest of their careers and lives.”

Councilwoman Nancy VanReece, who represents a different part of Madison, called Mumaw’s actions “sheer bravery.”

“It’s a really sad day,” she said. “We’re all mourning. We hope that the other officer recovers quickly and the woman gets as much help as she needs to find peace as well.”

After leaving the scene, Anderson, the police chief, briefly stopped by the Madison precinct where Mumaw was stationed. Ruth's Flowers delivered a bouquet in honor of Mumaw.

Ann Hinson, a resident who lives near the Madison precinct, brought marinated spaghetti late Thursday morning for personnel there when she heard about Mumaw's death.

"That was terrible, I wanted to cry," she said. "It's not much, but it's a little bit."

Dave Boucher, Joel Ebert, Joey Garrison, Andy Humbles, Nate Rau and Tabitha Waggoner contributed to this report.

Reach Natalie Neysa Alund at 615-259-8072 and on Twitter @nataliealund. Reach Holly Meyer at hmeyer@tennessean.com or 615-259-8241 and on Twitter @HollyAMeyer.