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Incident
Police Officer Eric Mumaw drowned in the Cumberland River while attempting to save a suicidal woman.
He and another officer had responded to the Peeler Park Greenway Trailhead after receiving reports that a woman in a vehicle was contemplating suicide. The officers located the vehicle and were attempting to speak to the woman when the car rolled down the boat ramp and into the river. As the officers attempted to pull the woman from the car, they were both swept further into the river, which had a water temperature of 49-degrees.
A third officer followed them as they were swept down the river and entered the river to rescue Officer Mumaw but was unable to reach him due to the freezing temperatures. Officer Mumaw's body was recovered several hours later.
The woman escaped from the vehicle and was found on the river bank intoxicated. She subsequently pleaded guilty to vehicular homicide by intoxication and was sentenced to 12 years in prison.
Officer Mumaw had served with the Metro Nashville Police Department for 18 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his mother, brother, and sister.
In Our Keeping
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- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Police Officer Mumaw gave the Metro Nashville Police Department 18 years.
Thank you for your service to the Nashville community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Mumaw.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
Metro Nashville Police Department has lost 20 officers; 7 of them lost to accidents.
Eric is one of 191 officers lost to accidents in TN, 24.8% of the 769 remembered there.
Eric is one of 8,275 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Eric is one of 10,100 officers lost to accidents worldwide, 29.8% of the 33,917 remembered here.
33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 2017, 1 officer at Metro Nashville Police Department was lost to accidents, more than in any other year.
In 2017, 2 officers in TN were lost to accidents, the 25th heaviest of 99 years on record. The heaviest was 2000, with 6.
In 2017, 57 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 81st heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 2017, 60 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 91st heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Eric was 44. Of the 7 lost to accidents at Metro Nashville Police Department whose age is recorded, half were between 30.5 and 37.5; the middle age was 35. Eric had served 18 years; the middle length of service was 7 years.
Eric was 44. Of the 183 lost to accidents in TN whose age is recorded, half were between 30.5 and 49; the middle age was 38. Eric had served 18 years; the middle length of service was 7 years.
Eric was 44. Of the 7,718 lost to accidents in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 46; the middle age was 36. Eric had served 18 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Eric was 44. Of the 9,451 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. Eric had served 18 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
February holds 14.3% of these deaths at Metro Nashville Police Department; May holds the most, 42.9%. Thursdays: 42.9%.
February holds 7.3% of these deaths in TN; September holds the most, 11.5%. Thursdays: 11.5%.
February holds 7.2% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.5%. Thursdays: 14%.
February holds 7.2% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Thursdays: 14.2%.
How
Accident deaths account for 35% of all 20 deaths at Metro Nashville Police Department, the 2nd most common cause. The weapon recorded was automobile; alcohol involved, in 14.3% of these deaths.
Accident deaths account for 24.8% of all 769 deaths in TN, the 2nd most common cause. The weapon recorded was automobile; alcohol involved, in 1% of these deaths.
Accident deaths account for 30% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the 2nd most common cause. The weapon recorded was automobile; alcohol involved, in 0.2% of these deaths.
Accident deaths account for 29.8% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause. The weapon recorded was automobile; alcohol involved, in 0.1% of these deaths.
His people
Metro Nashville Police Department has 20 officers remembered here, Eric among them.
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Lonnie L. Harper
Aug 10, 1963
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Charles Reuben Byrd
Sep 26, 1963
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Carroll Gordon Bargatze
Oct 16, 1965
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Thomas E. Johnson
Jan 16, 1968
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Charles W. Thomasson
Mar 17, 1968
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Robert L. Williams
May 2, 1968
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Raymond Leroy Wheeler
Nov 6, 1973
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Curtis Jordan
Jan 13, 1976
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George Howard Hall
Feb 23, 1976
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Steven Ross Pinkelton
Jul 26, 1978
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Edward L. Tarkington
Dec 17, 1978
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John Wesley Smith, III
May 14, 1980
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William Lee Bowlin
Aug 4, 1982
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James Ronnie Woodard, Sr.
Oct 9, 1991
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Francis Paul Scurry
May 17, 1996
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Candace Renee Ripp
Dec 8, 2001
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Christy Jo Dedman
Jul 19, 2004
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Michael Alexander Petrina
May 10, 2014
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Eric Wayne Mumaw
Feb 2, 2017
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John Ralph Anderson, IV
Jul 4, 2019
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 33-E
What is kept
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Others Who Wore This Badge
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