A Kansas City police officer and his K-9 partner were killed while on duty Wednesday evening after the officer’s patrol car was struck by another vehicle.

Officer James Muhlbauer died after he was taken to an area hospital. He was a 20-year veteran of the Kansas City Police Department. Muhlbauer’s police dog partner, Champ had only been on the force for one year.

The crash happened at about 10:15 pm when Muhlbauer’s patrol car was hit by another vehicle near Truman Road and Benton Boulevard. The crashed pushed the police car into a pedestrian, which killed him.

“The officers were serving and protecting this city,” Police Chief Stacey Graves said. “They were putting themselves in harm’s way. They were being public servants the city needs. And in the moment we lost them. Our department is hurting. We’re sad and we’re shaken.”

The driver of the vehicle that hit the police car was injured in the crash. He remains in police custody pending completion of the investigation and charges from the Jackson County Prosecutor’s Office.

Officer Muhlbauer was married and a father.

KPGZ News - Brian Watts contributed to this story