KCPD identified an officer and a K-9 officer who died in a traffic accident on Wednesday evening
KANSAS CITY, Missouri. Police officer James Mulbauer and his partner, K-9 officer Champ, were killed around 10:15 p.m. Wednesday near Truman Road and Benton Boulevard, killing a pedestrian.
Police Chief Stacey Graves announced the names of the two slain KCPD officers at an emotional press conference on Thursday afternoon.
“Our department is suffering,” Graves said. “We are sad and shocked, but it pales in comparison to what Officer Muhlbauer’s family is going through. … Please pray for the Muhlbauer family. They need strength and love. And this department, grieving, will be next to them.
The pedestrian’s name has not yet been released, but Graves said he was in his 50s.
Muhlbauer, alias Jim, spent 20 years on KCPD patrols, including the last three years in K-9. He left behind a wife and a child.
Mühlbauer is an officer who, after him, in 2014
“Last night was tough,” Graves said. – Our officers are hurt / They are shocked; they are clearly upset. I can tell you that the communication and camaraderie of our K-9 officers was something to watch last night. They wanted to make sure Champ and Jim were transported together to accompany their hero.”
K-9 officers live with their assigned patrol officer and are considered part of the family.
Graves thanked the officers who arrived at the crash site and those who came to the hospital where Muhlbauer died.
She singled out the North Kansas City Police Department, which took Champ to the hospital to be reunited with Muhlbauer.
No information was provided about the driver of the vehicle that Graves said crashed into the officer’s vehicle.
She said the possible ill health is being investigated and, once completed, the case will be forwarded to the Jackson County Attorney’s Office to review the charges.
“It wasn’t the officer’s fault beforehand,” Graves said.
This is for 22 years and 121st place in the overall standings.
The last KCPD to die in the line of duty was Ofc. Craig Schultz, who died on May 9, 2001 in a car accident.
According to the agency, nine police officers died in car accidents and 13 in motorcycle accidents.
So far, four KCPD K-9s have died in the line of duty, but this is the first case since 2007.
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