KANSAS CITY, Mo — Kansas City, Missouri, police said Thursday morning that a police officer, his K-9 partner and a pedestrian died in a two-vehicle crash at Truman Road and Benton Boulevard.
The wreck occurred at 10:15 p.m. on Wednesday.
According to KCPD, another vehicle struck the police vehicle at the the intersection and "the collision caused a secondary impact with a pedestrian."
Tonight just after 10:15pm a Police Canine Officer and his Canine Partner were on duty and on patrol in the area of Truman Rd and Benton Blvd when their patrol car was struck by another vehicle. The collision caused a secondary impact with a pedestrian. pic.twitter.com/03pRneHmiM
— kcpolice (@kcpolice) February 16, 2023
The pedestrian and the police K-9 died at the scene, while the officer was transported to the hospital with life-threatening injuries.
"Doctors made every attempt at treatment but tragically he was declared deceased at the hospital," KCPD said on Twitter.
The officer who died was a 20-year veteran with KCPD and had worked in the K-9 unit for the last three years. The police dog had been with the department for roughly one year.
The driver of the other vehicle suffered minor injuries and was taken into custody pending further investigation.
"Please keep the officer’s family, the pedestrian’s family and the whole Kansas City Missouri Police Department in your thoughts and prayers as they deal with this terrible tragedy," KCPD said on social media.
The officer, who has not yet been identified, is the first KCPD officer to die in the line of duty since 2001 and the 121st overall, according to the Officer Down Memorial Page.
Late KCPD officer Craig W. Schultz died in a motorcycle crash on May 9, 2001. He is KCPD's most recent line-of-duty death before Wednesday night.
The K-9 is the fourth KCPD police dog killed in the line of duty.
K-9 Dio died in 2007, while K-9 Trooper died in 1961 and K-9 Star died in 1991.
The Kansas City Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 99, the union that represents KCPD, has set up a website for those wishing to donate to Muhlbauer's family.
Several area law enforcement agencies have begun expressing their condolences to KCPD.
Chief Graves, members of the JCSO offer our condolences to the family, to you and to members of your dedicated staff. Your officer and K9 gave the ultimate sacrifice while serving our community. Let's lean on God.@kcpolice @KansasCity @JacksonCountyMO @JCSheriffOffice pic.twitter.com/YcWduZUe1g
— Darryl Forte' (@sheriffforte) February 16, 2023
My thoughts and prayers to @kcpolice. May you find peace during this difficult time.
— John P. Lacy (@OPPD_PIO) February 16, 2023
Kansas City Police also changed their Twitter profile to reflect a fallen officer. Click here to see their page.
@KCMOFireDept offer our condolences to the @kcpolice and to the family of the fallen. The ultimate sacrifice was made while serving our community by your officer and K9. pic.twitter.com/ukTdFmjVtJ
— KCFD (@KCMOFireDept) February 16, 2023
Flags are being flown at half-staff outside KCPD Headquarters in downtown KCMO.
Outside the @kcpolice headquarters. Flags at half staff right behind the memorial.
— Caroline Hogan KSHB (@CarolineHoganTV) February 16, 2023
What we know so far- in 2 minutes on @KSHB41 pic.twitter.com/H3MOeS0IOl
My deepest condolences for the loss of this officer and the pedestrian in a tragic collision. I am sending my prayers to their families. https://t.co/1BWiNEfNq0
— Jean Peters Baker (@jeanpetersbaker) February 16, 2023
Our thoughts and prayers go out to our sisters and brothers of the @kcpolice during this difficult time. #GodBless pic.twitter.com/RGOj0dG3qk
— Johnson Co KS Sheriff (@JOCOSHERIFF) February 16, 2023
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