Funeral services for fallen KCPD Officer Muhlbauer

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The Kansas City community honored fallen Kansas City, Missouri, police officer James Muhlbauer and his K-9 partner Champ at a visitation, funeral and procession on Wednesday.

2:38 p.m. | After Muhlbauer's casket is loaded in a hearse, bagpipers played "Amazing Grace" and KCPD helicopters performed a flyover to end his funeral.

2:23 p.m. | The wife and son of KCPD Officer James Muhlbauer, Cassie and Ayden Muhlbauer, were presented with flags outside Municipal Auditorium.

2:10 p.m. | Radio dispatchers gave the end of watch for Muhlbauer and Champ.

2:06 p.m. | Muhlbauer and his K-9 partner, Champ, received a 21-gun salute outside Municipal Auditorium.

2:04 p.m. | The flag-draped casket of Muhlbauer is taken from Municipal Auditorium to a waiting hearse after his funeral.

1:21 p.m. | Chasity Hedrick, a family friend of Muhlbauer's, reads a letter from his widow, Cassie Muhlbauer.

1:16 p.m. | "Jim was proud to be a police officer and we're proud of him," said Vern Muhlbauer, James' father.

James' mother, Chris, stood next to Vern while he delivered his remarks.

1:05 p.m. | "I wish this was all some bad dream we were all experiencing," said KCPD officer Tanner Moats, with the KCPD's K-9 Unit behind him.

12:43 p.m. | KCPD officers Ben Cassell and Wade Nosnibor reflected on their memories in the department with Muhlbauer and Champ.

"It does comfort me some to know that you will have your sidekick and best patrol partner one could ask for, Champ, with you to keep you company," Nosnibor said.

12:40 p.m. | Officer Muhlbauer's brother-in-law Chris Smith thanked the community for the way Muhlbauer has been honored.

12:29 p.m. | View photos from the lives of Kansas City, Missouri, police officer James Muhlbauer and K-9 champ:

12:22 p.m. | "As long as we have the breath to tell your story, your friendship, service and sacrifice will never be forgotten by those who love you," Muhlbauer's childhood friend Jeff Hunter said.

12:20 p.m. | Muhlbauer's sister Laurie Muhlbauer also spoke about how proud she is of her brother.

"I'm proud of the devoted father he was," she said. "I'm proud of him in the profession that he chose. I'm proud that he's my brother."

12:13 p.m. | Family of fallen KCPD officer Muhlbauer, including his step-daughter Makenzie Allison and son Ayden Muhlbauer, spoke during the service.

12:05 p.m. | Watch the sermon delivered at Muhlbauer's funeral service:

Noon | KCPD Chief Stacey Graves spoke of Muhlbauer and Champ's time with the police department during the funeral service.

"We love you, thank you for your service, rest easy and we'll take it from here," Graves said.

11:30 a.m. | City of Kansas City, Missouri, and community leaders honored Muhlbauer Wednesday.

"My prayers are with the family and friends of Officer James Muhlbauer and the entire Kansas City Police Department today as they lay one of their own to rest," Rep. Emanuel Cleaver II said in a statement. "Our community is forever thankful for the dedicated service provided by Officer Muhlbauer and his partner, Champ."

11:26 a.m. | Visitation has concluded and the funeral service for Muhlbauer has begun.

KSHB

ORIGINAL STORY | KCPD Police Officer James Muhlbauer, K-9 Champ and one pedestrian died in a traffic collision on the night of Wednesday, Feb. 15. Police say a driver sped through a red light at the intersection of Truman Road and Benton Boulevard and struck Muhlbauer's patrol car at around 10:15 p.m. Wednesday.

Champ and the pedestrian, identified as 52-year-old Jesse Eckes, died at the scene.

Muhlbauer was transported to an area hospital with life-threatening injuries, and died at the hospital.

The driver who struck Muhlbauer's vehicle sustained minor injuries and was taken into custody pending further investigation.

The visitation for Muhlbauer and Champ will be held from 9:30 to 11 a.m. Wednesday at Municipal Auditorium, 301 W. 13th St. in Kansas City, Missouri.

Afterwards, the funeral service will begin at 11:30 a.m.

Citizens attending the funeral may park at the underground parking garage at Barney Allis Plaza, on a first-come, first-serve basis. Attendees may enter the garage from Wyandotte Street, south of W. 12th Street.

Following the service, Muhlbauer and Champ will receive full honors outside the auditorium, and a funeral procession will be held.

Wednesday's procession will travel from 13th Street to northbound Broadway Boulevard. It will continue north on Broadway to the Buck O'Neil Bridge, before traveling onto U.S. 169 Highway.

It will exit U.S. 169 at Vivion Road, and will travel eastbound on Vivion before turning north on Antioch to NE 64th Street.

All vehicles, aside from vehicles carrying family and invited guests, will then continue past White Chapel Funeral Home, police say.

A separate procession was held for Champ on Friday, where he was transported to Rolling Acres Memorial Garden in the Northland, as several K-9 units from across the Kansas City area paid their respects.

Missouri Gov. Mike Parson announced flags in Cass, Clay, Jackson and Platte counties will fly at half-staff for the fallen duo.

The Local Fraternal Order of Police launched an online fundraiser to support the wife and children that Muhlbauer leaves behind.

Muhlbauer served with KCPD for 20 years, the last three of which he spent with the K-9 unit.

In 2014, he arrested Brandon Howell, who beat two people to death and fatally shot three people in south KCMO's Woodbridge Community.

Champ was part of KCPD's K-9 unit for one year.

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