BlueLivesMatterBY COWGIRL
On Monday morning, Metro Nashville Officers escorted the body of Officer Eric Mumaw from Spring Hill Funeral Home to Cornerstone Church in Madison, where thousands had turned out to pay their respects.
Metro Nashville Police Chief Steve Anderson and Mayor Meaghan Barry awarded Officer Mumaw’s family with the Medal of Valor in a private ceremony.
At the memorial, Officer Eric Mumaw, age 44, was remembered for various things, from his heroism, from running in full uniform as a police trainee in the August heat, to his commanding Officers mispronouncing his name as a recruit, calling him “Officer Meow Meow.” Most of all, he was remembered for two things: “..his commitment to protecting and saving the lives of others, and the attitude he carried while doing it.”
He died in the frigid waters of the Cumberland River on February 2, 2017 while trying to save the life of a suicidal woman. Mayor Meghan Barry said that Officer Mumaw “changed lives and saved lives” and that he “was a hero.”
Country music singers Vince Gill, Billy Ray Cyrus, and Jamey Johnson performed at Officer Mumaw’s funeral. Vince Gill sang “Go Rest High On That Mountain” and Cyrus and Johnson sang “Some Gave All.” Tears were evident on Gill’s face as he sang. In a statement, Cyrus said “My thoughts and prayers are with Officer Mumaw’s family, friends, Metro PD and all who’s hearts are broken at this time of great loss…Officer Mumaw is an American hero. He will never be forgotten…and his legacy will live on forever.”
The suicidal woman, Juli Glisson, was found on the banks of the Cumberland River last Thursday after her vehicle rolled backwards into the water. Glisson has been charged with Aggravated Vehicular Homicide. She was booked into the Davidson County Jail at 11:20 AM Monday morning, just before the start of Officer Eric Mumaw’s memorial.
According to a MNPD affidavit, her blood alcohol was almost three times the legal limit. Juli Glisson admitted to police that she had drank seven or eight beers that morning. She also admitted to asking the Officers what they would do if she drove into the river and that their response was that they have to save her. MN Police Detectives said that is when Glisson put her vehicle into gear and drove into the river. Officers Trent Craig and Eric Mumaw went in the river to try and save her. Officer Craig had to be rescued and Officer Mumaw died in the frigid waters. Glisson’s bond was set at $150,000.
Our thoughts and prayers continue to be with the family of fallen hero Metro Nashville Police Officer Eric Mumaw, both blood and blue.