Residents of the Washington area were shocked to learn today that Ron Kirby, director of transportation for the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments (MWCOG), was found victim of a homicide in his home. He had served with MWCOG for several decades, tackling the range of transportation issues confronting the region.

DC Council Chairman Phil Mendelson has issued the following statement regarding the tragic news:

“I worked with Ron Kirby for more than 14 years. He was an expert on transportation and respected by transportation leaders across the nation.  Few people understood our transportation problems and needs as well as Ron — he was the go-to guy for transportation.  His untimely death is not only a personal loss, but an enormous loss for our region.”