IN THE COUNTY LEGISLATURE OF JACKSON COUNTY, MISSOURI
Title
A RESOLUTION honoring the life of Kansas City Police Officer James Muhlbauer and K-9 Officer Champ who were killed in the line of duty on February 15, 2023.
Intro
RESOLUTION NO. 21172, February 21, 2023
INTRODUCED BY DaRon McGee, County Legislator
Body
WHEREAS, Kansas City Police Officer James Muhlbauer and K-9 Officer Champ passed away on February 15, 2023, when they were struck by another vehicle while patrolling near Truman Road and Benton Boulevard; and,
WHEREAS, according to the Omaha Police Officers Association, Officer Muhlbauer was born and raised in South Omaha before starting his career in Kansas City; and,
WHEREAS, Officer Muhlbauer spent twenty years as a KCPD patrolman, including the last three with the K-9 unit and will be remembered as a “good cop” and a hard worker; and,
WHEREAS, his police dog Champ was a three-year-old Dutch Shepherd who had been on the force for one year; and,
WHEREAS, in 2014, Officer Muhlbauer arrested a man who was later convicted in a quintuple homicide that occurred in the Woodbridge Community; and,
WHEREAS, Officer Muhlbauer is the first KCPD officer to die in the line of duty in more than twenty years; and,
WHEREAS, KCPD Chief Stacey Graves specifically thanked the North Kansas City Police Department which transported K-9 Officer Champ to the hospital to reunite him with Officer Muhlbauer where they were given a heroes’ escort; and,
WHEREAS, friends and family of Officer Muhlbauer knew him as “Jim” and his father said “he was a fantastic son, husband, dad and police officer”; and,
WHEREAS, the Public Servant Program which recognizes the courage and selflessness of those killed in the line of duty is covering the cost of funeral services for Officer Muhlbauer; and,
WHEREAS, visitation for Officer Muhlbauer will be held on February 22 at the Municipal Auditorium in Kansas City, Missouri, followed by a funeral service with Full Honors presentation; and,
WHEREAS, Officer Muhlbauer leaves behind his wife, a 10-year-old son, a 26-year-old stepson, and a 19-year-old stepdaughter; now therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED by the County Legislature of Jackson County, Missouri, that the Legislature hereby honors the life and achievements of Officer James “Jim” Muhlbauer and extends its condolences to his family, friends, and the communities he served; and,
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the County Legislature acknowledges Officer Muhlbauer's dedication and service to the Kansas City Police Department and recognizes the bravery and loyalty of K-9 Officer Champ and their sacrifice in the line of duty, which will not be forgotten.
Enacted and Approved
Effective Date: This Resolution shall be effective immediately upon its passage by a majority of the Legislature.
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
________________________________ ________________________________
Chief Deputy County Counselor County Counselor
Certificate of Passage
I hereby certify that the attached resolution, Resolution No. 21172 of February 21, 2023, was duly passed on February 21, 2023 by the Jackson County Legislature. The votes thereon were as follows:
Yeas _______9__________ Nays ______0________
Abstaining ______0_______ Absent _____0_______
_________________ ________________________________
Date Mary Jo Spino, Clerk of Legislature