Derrick Ward, a veteran Washington, D.C. journalist known for his coverage of the September 11 Pentagon attack and the DC sniper shootings, died Tuesday, January 7, 2025, from complications following a recent cardiac arrest. He was 62.
“Derrick has been an inspiration and cherished member of our family and his hometown community, as a longtime reporter at News4 Washington, and previously WTOP Radio,” family friend Lydia Sermons said in a statement. “As a distinguished journalist, Derrick’s storytelling, prolific writing, warmth, and humor touched countless lives.”
Ward, who grew up in the Marshall Heights and H Street Corridor neighborhoods of Washington, D.C., witnessed the city’s pivotal moments firsthand. As a child, he lived through the 1968 riots following Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s assassination, later documenting these experiences for NBC Washington’s 40th Anniversary coverage.
His journalism career began in radio, where he established himself as a respected voice across three major D.C. stations – WPFW, WAMU, and WTOP. While at WTOP, Ward covered significant national stories, including the Iran-Contra hearings, demonstrating his ability to handle complex political reporting.
After making his television debut at WKBW-TV in Buffalo, New York, Ward returned to Washington, D.C., joining NBC Washington (News4) in 2006. His coverage of the September 11, 2001 Pentagon attack and the 2002 DC sniper shootings earned him recognition as one of the region’s most reliable breaking news reporters.
“Derrick was a brilliant writer and journalist who loved reporting on his hometown,” fellow NBC Washington reporter Mark Segraves wrote on social media. “Derrick was also a fabulous musician. R-I-P brother, we’ll take it from here.”
Ward’s recent reporting focused on local community stories. His final stories included coverage of a burning building in Washington, D.C., a mother honoring her late son lost to addiction, and reporting from the U.S. Senate. His last news coverage was posted on December 27, 2024.
Investigative reporter Tracee Wilkins praised her colleague’s dedication: “My heart is broken by the loss of my friend. Derrick greeted everyone with a welcoming smile and a warm laugh. He was a dedicated dad, a wonderful colleague, a stellar journalist, and a gifted guitar player.”
Beyond journalism, Ward was an accomplished musician who played guitar with several local bands. He performed with Big Boy Little Band in September 2013, showcasing his musical talents to the community he served as a journalist.
Paul Wagner, who worked with Ward at both WTOP and NBC, remembered his colleague’s signature greeting of “Hey, Wags!” noting how it “always made me smile.” Wagner added: “In the last 4 years @nbcwashington I had a front-row seat to his talented and beautiful storytelling.”
Ward is survived by his three children: Derrick Jr., Ian, and Marisa. His family plans to share memorial service information in the coming days.
