Governor Mike Parson today ordered the U.S. and Missouri flags to be flown at half-staff at all government buildings in Cass, Clay, Jackson, and Platte counties on Wednesday, February 22, to honor Kansas City Police Department Officer James M. Muhlbauer and K-9 Champ. The Kansas City Police Department serves portions of the four counties, and Officer Muhlbauer and K-9 Champ had worked in all four.

“Officer James Muhlbauer devoted his life to protecting the residents of Kansas City, and for 20 years, he excelled in his chosen profession, putting service to his community at the forefront of all he did,” Governor Parson said. “For the last year, Officer Muhlbauer and K-9 Champ worked as inseparable partners and guardians of the community. They died senselessly, but we will forever remember their contributions to the betterment of Kansas City and Missouri.”

On February 15, Officer Muhlbauer and K-9 Champ were on duty with the Kansas City Police Department when a speeding motorist struck the police vehicle they were in, fatally injuring Officer Muhlbauer and K-9 Champ.

Officer Muhlbauer, 42, entered the Kansas City Regional Police Academy in December 2002 and was commissioned as a Kansas City police officer on June 27, 2003. In 2014, he was responsible for the arrest of a notorious killer who was convicted of murdering five people.

Police K-9 Champ was trained in Houston, Texas, and began working for KCPD on January 20, 2022, when Champ was assigned to partner with Officer Muhlbauer. K-9 Champ was certified as a dual purpose narcotics and patrol canine from the National Police Canine Association.

The flags will be held at half-staff on the day Officer Muhlbauer is laid to rest.