Former D.C. Fire Chief Kenneth Ellerbe was found dead inside his Southeast D.C. home Sunday morning. He was 61.
D.C. police, along with fire and EMS personnel, were called to Ellerbe’s home in the 4500 block of Alabama Ave SE at 10:46 a.m. after getting a 911 call from a family member who reported that Ellerbe was unresponsive.
First responders pronounced him deceased at the scene.
D.C. police are conducting a routine death investigation and don’t suspect foul play.
We've got the news you need to know to start your day. Sign up for the First & 4Most morning newsletter — delivered to your inbox daily. Sign up here.
Ellerbe, who served as fire chief under now former D.C. Mayor Vincent Gray, retired from the department in 2014.
He spent 31 years with DC Fire and EMS, including three as chief.
Local
Washington, D.C., Maryland and Virginia local news, events and information
“This was a dream for me when I became a firefighter in 1982. I will be eternally grateful to Mayor Gray for believing in me," Ellerbe said in a statement released shortly before his retirement.
D.C. fire said in a statement, "Our thoughts and prayers remain with his family."
Stay with News4 and NBC Washington for more.
