Beloved NBC Reporter in D.C. Was 62 ArticlePure

Derrick Ward, a beloved news reporter based in Washington, D.C., has died. He was 62. 

NBC 4 Washington, the station where Ward worked, announced his death on Wednesday, Jan. 8.

Ward died Tuesday, Jan. 7 following complications from a recent cardiac arrest, his family said in a statement shared with the station.

“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,” the statement continued. “As a distinguished journalist, Derrick’s storytelling, prolific writing, warmth, and humor touched countless lives. Our children and our entire family will miss him dearly.”

He is survived by his three children, Derrick, Jr., Ian and Marisa.

“We ask for your thoughts and prayers during this time, and we extend our gratitude to everyone for the outpouring of love and support. Details regarding his memorial service will be shared in the coming days,” their statement concluded.

Ward began his career in radio before moving on to WPFW, WAMU and WTOP. 

During his time as a journalist, he covered career-defining stories such as the Iran-Contra hearings, the Sept. 11 attack on the Pentagon and the Washington-area sniper shootings, per NBC.

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His first on-camera reporting job was for Buffalo’s WKBW-TV. He later made his way back to Washington in 2006 as part of the NBC family.

Ward grew up in D.C. and was a student at HD Woodson High School before attending the University of Maryland.