Notes:
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. Charges are pending.
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Eric Wayne Mumaw, age 44, passed away in the line of duty on February 2, 2017. He was born on July 22, 1972 in Websterville, Ohio to his loving mother, Esther Marie Connell. In addition to his mother, Eric is survived by his brother Timothy Scott Mumaw; sister Vonda Kay Mumaw Morris (Kenny); aunts and uncles, Joyce Bell, Norma and Robert McFarland, Margie Rogers, and Pam Connell and numerous cousins, friends and fellow officers. Preceeded in death by his step-father Arthur Basil Connell and grandparents, Clarence and Mary Fetter.
Eric was a veteran police officer serving over 18 years. During his time on the force, he received many awards for his bravery and exemplary behavior.
A Celebration of Life Service will be held on Monday, February 6, 2017, 12:00 noon at Cornerstone Church in Madison. Visitation will be on Monday from 9:00 a.m. until service time at Cornerstone Church. There will also be a service held in Columbus for Eric on Friday, February 10, 2017, 11:00 a.m. at Linworth Baptist Church, 6200 Linworth Road, Worthington, Ohio with Pastor Brent Miller officiating . Eric will be cremated and his ashes will be buried at Memorial Gardens, Mount Vernon, Ohio. Memorial contributions may be made to the Nashville Fraternal Order of Police, Andrew W Jackson Lodge #5, Youth Camp, nashvillefop.org. Arrangements entrusted to Spring Hill Funeral Home and Cemetery, 5110 Gallatin Road, Nashville, TN 37216, 615-865-1101, www.springhillfh.com.
[Published in Tennessean on Feb. 5, 2017]