On Wednesday, February 15, 2023, Kansas City Police Officer James Muhlbauer and his K-9 Champ died after being involved in a vehicle crash that also killed a pedestrian.

Officer Muhlbauer was on patrol traveling eastbound in his marked squad car on Truman Road and Benton Boulevard at about 10:15 p.m., when his patrol car was struck by another vehicle that was traveling at a high rate of speed southbound on Benton Boulevard through a red light. It was determined that the suspect had accelerated to 89 miles per hour 2 seconds prior to striking Officer Muhlbauers squad car. The crash caused a secondary collision with a pedestrian, who was declared dead at the scene.

Officer Muhlbauer was critically injured and transported to a local hospital for treatment where he died of his injuries.

Officer Muhlbauer was a 20 year veteran of the Kansas City Police Department and served nearly three years in the Canine Unit. He is survived by his wife, two sons and daughter.

The driver of the vehicle that struck the patrol car suffered minor injuries, was taken into custody and was subsequently charged with two counts of first-degree involuntary manslaughter. The suspect was sentenced to 10 years in prison.

Visitation and Funeral services were held Feb 22, 2023 at Kansas City's Municipal Auditorium. After the service, full honors were held in front of the auditorium followed by an emergency vehicle honor escort of hundreds of vehicles that stretched out for miles. Officer Muhlbauer leaves behind his wife, two sons and a daughter.