A Nashville police officer died after jumping into the Cumberland River to rescue a suicidal woman Thursday morning.
Officer Eric Mumaw responded to a report around 4:19 a.m. that that 40-year-old Juli Glisson was suicidal and at the Peeler Park boat ramp, according to The Tennesean.
Mumaw and Officer Nick Diamond attempted to talk to the woman, who was in the driver's seat of a vehicle at the edge of the boat ramp.
The officers believed they had the woman convinced her to step out of the car and when the driver's door opened and the car went out of park and into the water. The officers raced into water to try to save Glisson, but didn't realize the edge of the submerged boat ramp ended and both officers fell into the water as Glisson remained in the driver’s seat.
The motion of the vehicle caused the officers to be swept further out. Diamond attempted to grab Mumaw, but he slipped from his grasp. Both Diamond and Glisson were able to swim ashore. The body of the 44-year-old officer was recovered by a diver later in the morning.
Diamond is recovering and in stable condition at Vanderbilt University Medical Center. Glisson was transported to TriStar Skyline Medical Center.
"I know he died doing what he loves. He loved his midnight shift and he gave his life," Metro Police Chief Steve Anderson told reporters. "I know his whole detail is over there. They're grieving. They're going to miss him."
Officials said that Mumaw, an 18-year veteran of the Nashville Police Department, twice received awards for acts of heroism.
Funeral arrangements are pending.
