“These fallen heroes will be buried together-Thank you for your service and sacrifice”
The Kanas City Missouri Police Department lost two of their own this past week when Officer James Muhlbauer and his partner, K-9 Officer Champ, were killed in the line of duty on February 15th.
The tragedy happened when Officer Muhlbauer and K9 Champ were in their patrol vehicle when a speeding vehicle crashed into them near the intersection of Truman Rd. and Benton Blvd. shortly after 10:15 p.m.
Officer Muhlbauer was transported to the hospital with life-threatening injuries, however, doctors were unable to save him. Champ died at the scene along with a pedestrian, a 50-year-old man, who was also struck.
Officer Muhlbauer was a 20-year veteran of the Kansas City Police Department was only 42 years old. He leaves behind his wife and children. Champ was a 3-year-old Dutch Shepherd who served the department for a year and lived with the officer’s family.
The KCPD shared on Facebook:
“Rest In Peace, Officer James Muhlbauer and K-9 Officer Champ.
The partners were killed in the line of duty Wednesday night when a vehicle crashed into them while they were on patrol.
Muhlbauer was a 20-year veteran of KCPD, while K-9 Champ was with us for one year.
We hurt.
K-9 Champ lived with Muhlbauer and his family. Mulhbauer was married and a father. Please pray for them.”
K9 Champ was escorted last Friday from the North Kansas City Animal Control Center to the Rolling Acres Pet Memorial Center. The Clay County Missouri Sheriff shared:
“Our Canine Unit joined that of @kcpolice and other canine units from around the metro area to escort the body of slain KCPD K9 Champ from the @nkcpolice Animal Control Center to @Rollingacrespet today.”
K9 Champ will be buried with Officer Muhlbauer. A public visitation will be held from 9:30 a.m. until 11 a.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 22, 2023, at Municipal Auditorium. The funeral will follow at 11:30 a.m. Kansas City Fraternal Order of Police, Lodge 99, created a fund to assist Officer Muhlbauer’s family. A Meal Train has been set up, as well.
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