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Incident
Officer Steven Downing suffered a fatal heart attack while attempting to rescue the occupants of a capsized boat in Old Hickory Lake. Officer Downing was off duty doing yard work when a fellow officer drove by and asked for his assistance in the rescue. Despite Officer Downing's heart attack, the occupants of the boat were successfully rescued. Officer Downing had served with the Gallatin Police Department for seven years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, two daughters, and a grandson.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
neuraspine_01krbxtpdfe906r1k9215898s6- Stewardship
- 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.
Patrol Officer Downing gave the Gallatin Police Department 7 years.
Thank you for your service to the Gallatin community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrol Officer Downing.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Cardiac
Steven is the only officer of Gallatin Police Department remembered here.
Steven is one of 37 officers lost to cardiac events in TN, 4.8% of the 769 remembered there.
Steven is one of 1,307 officers lost to cardiac events in the United States, 4.7% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Steven is one of 1,309 officers lost to cardiac events worldwide, 3.8% of the 34,117 remembered here.
34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1985, 1 officer in TN was lost to cardiac events, the 9th heaviest of 26 years on record. The heaviest was 1999, with 4.
In 1985, 11 officers in the United States were lost to cardiac events, the 54th heaviest of 139 years on record. The heaviest was 2014, with 24.
In 1985, 11 officers worldwide were lost to cardiac events, the 54th heaviest of 139 years on record. The heaviest was 2014, with 24.
Who
Steven was 38. Of the 36 lost to cardiac events in TN whose age is recorded, half were between 41.8 and 54.3; the middle age was 49. Steven had served 7 years; the middle length of service was 15.5 years.
Steven was 38. Of the 1,249 lost to cardiac events in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 43 and 55; the middle age was 48. Steven had served 7 years; the middle length of service was 15 years.
Steven was 38. Of the 1,251 lost to cardiac events worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 42.5 and 55; the middle age was 48. Steven had served 7 years; the middle length of service was 15 years.
When
April holds 10.8% of these deaths in TN; March holds the most, 13.5%. Fridays: 27%.
April holds 8.9% of these deaths in the United States; January holds the most, 9.6%. Fridays: 15.8%.
April holds 8.9% of these deaths worldwide; January holds the most, 9.5%. Fridays: 15.8%.
How
Cardiac deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Gallatin Police Department.
Cardiac deaths account for 4.8% of all 769 deaths in TN, the 4th most common cause.
Cardiac deaths account for 4.7% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the 4th most common cause.
Cardiac deaths account for 3.8% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the 4th most common cause.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 41-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
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