KANSAS CITY Mo. – A gloomy day when thousands mourn the death of Kansas City Police Officer James Muhlbauer and his K-9 champion.
Hundreds of police cars from departments throughout the region were involved in the procession which ended at the Municipal Auditorium around 9
The public visit began at 9:30 in the Municipal Auditorium. The public are welcome to pay their respects until 11.00am A private funeral will be held at 11.30am The funeral will be streamed online in the video player at the top of the page as it begins.
Following the memorial service, Muhlbauer and Champ will be presented with full honors outside on 13th Street in front of the auditorium. Officers and K-9s from other departments should line up on the sidewalk.
There will be a downturn from the Municipal Auditorium to a Northland Funeral Home after the funeral service.
Police cars will follow the family. Anyone is invited to participate or follow the route to pay homage to Muhlbauer and Champ.
The withdrawal path after the funeral services from the Municipal Auditorium to the funeral home:
- Exit on 13th to Broadway,
- Head north on Broadway to the Buck O’Neil Bridge which becomes 169 Hwy,
- Head north on Hwy 169 exiting on Vivion Rd,
- Head east on Vivion towards Antioch,
- Head north on Antioch to 64th,
- Head East on 64th Street turning into Antioch.
The recession will continue beyond the funeral home, allowing Muhlbauer’s family to see support for the fallen officer.
There will be no funeral service.
Gov. Mike Parson said he planned to attend the funeral and ordered the lowering of the state flags Wednesday at all government buildings in Cass, Clay, Jackson and Platte counties. Muhlbauer and Champ worked in all four counties, according to Parson.
Union Station also turned on its blue lights at night to honor the fallen officer and K-9.
Kansas City Police Fraternal Order Lodge 99 is taking donations in support of the Muhlbauer family.
Muhlbauer and Champ were killed last week when another driver hit the patrol vehicle they were in.
Muhlbauer, a 20-year veteran of the Kansas City Police Department, and K9 officer Champ were patrolling near the intersection of Truman Road and Benton Boulevard at the time of the incident. Their vehicle crashed into a pedestrian, 52-year-old Jesse Eckes, who also died.
