DC Native and Longtime News4 Journalist Derrick Ward Passes Away At Age 62.

Longtime News4 journalist Derrick Ward has died at the age of 62 due to complications from cardiac arrest. A proud Washington, D.C. native, Ward grew up in Marshall Heights and the H Street Corridor, experiencing pivotal moments like the 1968 riots, which he later chronicled for News4’s 40th anniversary coverage.

Ward graduated from HD Woodson High School and the University of Maryland. He then worked for local radio stations such as WTOP before switching to television news. He started at WKBW-TV in Buffalo and eventually returned to D.C. in 2006 to report for WRC-TV. According to the station, Ward was able to touch those around him through words and music.

“He shined when he had a pen, a microphone, or guitar in his hands,” the station wrote.

Ward lived through multiple defining moments in D.C. history, including the 1968 riots following Martin Luther King Jr.’s assassination. He also covered significant events such as the Iran-Contra hearings, the September 11 attacks, and the Washington sniper shootings, according to his online biography.

Derrick Ward leaves behind a legacy of impactful storytelling and deep ties to his community, shaping the news landscape in Washington, D.C. for years to come.