Derrick Ward, an esteemed journalist from Washington, D.C., passed away on Tuesday, January 7, 2025, due to complications after a recent heart attack. Ward, who was 62, was well-known for his reporting on the Pentagon attack on September 11 and the DC sniper shootings.
“Derrick’s prolific writing, warmth, humor, and storytelling as a distinguished journalist have touched countless lives,” Lydia Sermons, a family friend, stated. “As a beloved member of our family and his hometown community, he has been an inspiration during his tenure at News4 Washington and previously at WTOP Radio.”
Ward was a native of the Marshall Heights and H Street Corridor neighborhoods in Washington, D.C., and experienced the city’s significant events firsthand. He lived through the 1968 riots that followed the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. as a child and later recorded these experiences for the 40th Anniversary coverage of NBC Washington.
Ward’s career in journalism began in radio, where he became a respected voice on major D.C. stations such as WPFW, WAMU, and WTOP. At WTOP, he covered national stories of significance, including the Iran-Contra hearings, showcasing his aptitude for handling intricate political reporting.
After starting his television career at WKBW-TV in Buffalo, New York, Ward returned to Washington, D.C., and joined NBC Washington (News4) in 2006. His reportage of the September 11, 2001, attack on the Pentagon and the 2002 DC sniper shootings cemented his reputation as one of the region’s most trusted breaking news reporters.
“Derrick was a gifted journalist who loved reporting on his hometown,” NBC Washington reporter Mark Segraves stated on social media. “Derrick was also an outstanding musician. Rest in peace, brother, we’ll take over from here.”
In recent times, Ward’s reporting focused on local community stories. His final stories encompassed coverage of a building fire in Washington, D.C., a mother memorializing her late son who succumbed to addiction, and reporting from the U.S. Senate. His last news coverage was published on December 27, 2024.
“Derrick greeted everyone with a welcoming smile and a warm laugh. He was a dedicated father, a wonderful colleague, a stellar journalist, and a talented guitar player,” said Tracee Wilkins, an investigative reporter, mourning the loss of her friend.
Aside from journalism, Ward was a skilled musician and played guitar with several local bands. He performed with the Big Boy Little Band in September 2013, displaying his musical abilities to the community he served as a journalist.
Paul Wagner, Ward’s colleague at both WTOP and NBC, fondly recalled Ward’s unique greeting of “Hey, Wags!” which he claimed, “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 leaves behind three children: Derrick Jr., Ian, and Marisa. His family intends to disclose details of the memorial service in the subsequent days.
