OMAHA – A Kansas City, Missouri, police officer with Omaha roots was shot and killed Wednesday in the line of duty.
James “Jim” Muhlbauer, 42, was born and raised in South Omaha, according to a Facebook post by the Omaha Police Officers Association. He began his career with the Kansas City Police Department 20 years ago and served in the department’s patrol division throughout his tenure, including his last three years in the K-9 unit, according to the department.
On Wednesday night, Muhlbauer was on patrol with his K-9, a 3-year-old German Shepherd named Champ, when another vehicle hit his cruiser at high speed. The impact caused the cruiser to strike and kill a pedestrian, according to police.
Champ and the pedestrian, identified only as a man in his 50s, both died at the scene. Muhlbauer was taken to hospital with serious injuries and died soon after.
Muhlbauer’s wife Cassie posted on Facebook thanking people for their support and prayers. The couple had one son.
“He truly loved his job and was fully committed to making Kansas City proud of his work,” she said.
Muhlbauer is the first KCPD officer to die in the line of duty since May 2001, the department said. A donation drive and meal train were organized to support his family.
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Journal Star’s best photos for February 2023
A mostly empty Lincoln Airport terminal building is pictured on Tuesday, January 31, 2023 in Lincoln.
Deb Polacek of Friend (center) prepares to play the accordion to welcome Miloslav Stašek, the US Ambassador to the Czech Republic, who tours the state during a stop Wednesday at the Nebraska East Union.
Liam Rosengren trains in windy conditions using a portable punching bag outside at Holmes Lake Park on Thursday 2 February 2023. A windy day at Holmes Lake didn’t deter Liam from doing his outdoor training on Thursday afternoon. with a chilly southerly wind that made it seem like it was just over 11°F. “I do it just for the sake of being outside,” Rosengren said. “I mean, I bought this bag and it’s portable, so I can take it wherever I want.
Former Nebraska football coach Tom Osborne speaks during a Capitol news conference Monday about Governor Jim Pillen’s mentoring program for Nebraska youth.
Lincoln Northeast’s Doneelah Washington (back) tries to stop Lincoln Southwest’s Eleanor Griffin in the second half Friday at Lincoln Northeast.
Dean Thompsen reacts after he spelled the word ‘rich’ correctly after believing he had spelled it wrong during the second round of the annual Lincoln Public Schools Oral Spelling Bee on Saturday at Culler Middle School. “I can’t believe I got it right,” Thompsen said stepping back for him.
Bennington’s assistant coach Jarod Owens (left) and head coach Craig Pokorny celebrate after Kianna Wingender won the 120lbs Consolidation Semifinal at the District A-3 meet in Lincoln Southeast on Saturday.
Leaves frame the sower atop the 400-foot-tall Nebraska state capitol on Friday, February 3, 2023. The sower statue, modeled after the traditional method of hand-sowing grain for planting, is a symbol of the importance of agriculture for Nebraskans. A respite from cooler temperatures will come for Lincolnites this weekend. With highs around 40 degrees and mostly sunny weather, it will say goodbye to Saturday and Sunday.
Nebraska’s Axelina Johansson busts the second-longest throw in NCAA history — 63 feet 4 inches — at the Frank Sevigne Husker Invitational Saturday at the Devaney Sports Center.
Jaxson Bowman, 1, holds the finger of his father, Josh Bowman, during a deployment ceremony for the 1-134th Cavalry at the Lancaster Event Center Sunday, Feb. 5, 2023. Bowman, along with other Soldiers at the ceremony, did not deploy but he attended to support his fellow soldiers.
Niskithe Prayer Camp supporters block a bulldozer preparing to cut down trees in Wilderness Park on Monday.
Bellevue West’s Josiah Dotzler (left) clashes with Lincoln Southeast’s Wade Voss in the first half Tuesday at Lincoln Southeast High School.
Wayne’s Jersi Jensen (center) gets a high five as she approaches to earn her first place medal at the Class B State Bowling Singles Championship on Wednesday at Sun Valley Lanes.
Norfolk’s Carter Jackson capsizes in the middle of a dive Thursday in the Heartland Athletic Diving Championships in Lincoln Southeast.
McCool Junction’s Garrett Hansen celebrates during the Class B State Bowling Championship Wednesday at Sun Valley Lanes.
Julia Kennedy (right) shares a piece of cake with her granddaughter Samara Quwa as she attends a booth of FAQs about the 16th president on Saturday.
Wisconsin’s Max Klesmit and Nebraska’s Blaise Keita battle on the floor for possession Saturday at Pinnacle Bank Arena.
Nebraska’s Dayne Morton (left) fights Rutgers’ Tony White in the 149-pound match Sunday at the Devaney Sports Center.
Members of the 1st Nebraska Volunteer Infantry — Ron Rockenbach (from left), Gage Stermensky, Paul Hadley, David Smith and Keith Rockefeller — guard the statue of Abraham Lincoln on the west side of the Nebraska Capitol on the 214th anniversary of his birthday on Sunday.
Lincoln East’s Westin Sherlock (top) fights Bellevue East’s LaBrian Sherlock during the 152-pound final at the A-2 district meet Saturday in Lincoln East.
Lincoln East’s Carter Toomey and Lincoln North Star’s William Schafer battle for a rebound in the net in the third quarter Tuesday at Lincoln East High School.
Aven Larson, 7, throws snow in the air and tries to catch it with his tongue at Pioneers Park during a winter storm in Lincoln on Thursday, February 16, 2023.
Shawn Fauver shovels snow outside El Chaparro on F Street Thursday in Lincoln.
UNL student Paxtyn Dummer (from left) and Maggie Mienhueser complete work on a whiteboard, while Miles Kastl and Katelyn Petry do the same on the other side, during a mentorship session at the UNL Reading Center on East Campus. The reading center matches student teachers with students from the community who are reading below grade level.
Shoun Hill passes through Tower Square Thursday in downtown Lincoln where nearly 9 inches of snow fell overnight.
