A memorial service was held in Nashville for Metro Police Officer Eric Mumaw who lost his life in the line of duty.
Officer Mumaw died Thursday while trying to save a suicidal woman in the Cumberland River.
A memorial service got underway Monday afternoon at Cornerstone Church in Madison. A police escort departed from Spring Hill Funeral Home at 7 a.m. and traveled a route spanning from Gallatin Pike to Old Hickory Boulevard.
Chief Steve Anderson and Mayor Megan Barry awarded Officer Mumaw with the Medal of Valor - the department's highest honor - in a private ceremony.
PHOTOS: Officer Mumaw Honored At Memorial Service, Procession
PHOTOS: Community Mourns Death Of Officer Eric Mumaw
Metro Police Chief Steve Anderson described Mumaw as "festive" and someone who was "always smiling."
"He loved the Madison community and the Madison community loved him," Anderson said.
The final radio call for Officer Mumaw aired at 4:43 a.m. on all Metro Nashville Police Department channels.
"Attention All Units. All sectors clear the air except for emergency traffic. 727 Charles. 727 Charles. Headquarters to 727 Charles. Officer Mumaw. Attention all cars. 727 Charles Madison Precinct Officer Eric Wayne Mumaw gonna [sic] be 10-7 for the remainder. End of Watch. Thursday, February 2nd, 2017 at 0443 hours. Officer Mumaw, we honor you for the ultimate sacrifice and we thank you for your service to the Metropolitan government and to the citizens of Nashville and Davidson County.
God, we ask you that you that you welcome this fallen hero with open arms. We also ask that you bless each person gathered here today in respect for his sacrifice. We pray that you protect our brothers and sisters in Blue as they follow their calling and continue to put themselves in harm's way daily to help others stay safe. We pray for all these things in your name. Amen."
Watch the memorial in its entirety below.
Outside, fire fighters like Captain Larry Clymer also said goodbye to Officer Mumaw. For Clymer, it was especially tough as he was one of the divers who helped find Mumaw's body in the Cumberland River.
"The water was bone cold. It was in the 40s and the river was swift," Clymer said.
He recalled how his crews and the police officers on the scene were prepared to stay all day or until his body was recovered.
"Officer Mumaw, he paid the ultimate sacrifice. This is our humble, little way of just showing how much we appreciate him working here and being a part of our city."
After the service, officers lined the street as Mumaw's casket was taken away, a final salute to an officer who gave all he could.
"It's hard, it's hard. Eric was a good man. He was just a good person," said Officer Russell Ward who was helping to direct traffic outside of the church.
However, law enforcement officers weren't the only ones who lined the road as his casket was driven away. Emergency responders, city workers, community members and even young students held up signs and saluted him as he passed by.
"This is a great loss. How they honor their own is amazing," said Paulette Gentry, a teacher at Stratton Elementary school.
Teachers escorted hundreds of students from class on Monday afternoon so they could pay tribute to Officer Mumaw as his funeral procession passed by on Old Hickory Boulevard.
"There may be a little boy or girl standing here who may be one of our police officer someday," she added.
Officer Mumaw had no children of his own but became a father figure to a number of young kids through the shop with a cop program.
The last time a Metro Police officer died in the line of duty was back in 2014, When Michael Patrina was hit and killed on Interstate 65.
Watch the entire procession below/
