A respected journalist at NBC News has passed away due to complications arising from a recent health crisis, prompting an outpouring of grief from former colleagues on social media on Wednesday. Derrick Ward, a veteran Washington correspondent for the network, died at the age of 62 following a sudden cardiac arrest. Lydia Sermons, a family friend, expressed in a statement, “Derrick was an inspiration and a treasured member of our family and his local community, having served as a dedicated reporter at News4 Washington and previously at WTOP Radio.
His exceptional storytelling, prolific writing, and his warmth and humor impacted many lives. Our family, especially our children, will profoundly miss him.” NBC reported that Ward began his journalism career at various D.C.-area stations, including WPFW, WAMU, and WTOP, where he covered significant events such as the Iran-Contra hearings and the September 11 attacks.
A graduate of the University of Maryland, he briefly worked in Buffalo at WKBW-TV before returning to NBC’s Washington bureau in 2006. A native of Washington, D.C., he grew up in Marshall Heights and the H Street Corridor, experiencing the city’s race riots of 1968 and later documenting his childhood memories as part of NBC’s 40th-anniversary coverage. Known for his focus on human interest stories, Ward concluded his career with several impactful reports on local residents facing various challenges, including a fire in D.C., a mother commemorating her son lost to addiction, and coverage of the U.S. Senate, as reported by the Daily Mail. In addition to his passion for journalism, Ward was a talented guitarist who performed publicly. His last story was submitted on December 27th. Colleagues took to social media to share their fond memories and pay tribute to a friend whose life ended far too early.
Fellow NBC Washington reporter Mark Segraves expressed his sorrow on X, stating, “Heartbroken at the loss of a great friend and colleague. @DerrickWard4 was a brilliant writer and journalist who loved reporting on his hometown.”
Investigative journalist Tracee Wilkins reflected on her friendship with Ward, recalling him as a tireless companion in the break room. “I am deeply saddened by the loss of my friend. Derrick greeted everyone with a friendly smile and a hearty laugh. He was a devoted father, an exceptional colleague, an outstanding journalist, and a talented guitarist. My thoughts are with his children and loving family,” she expressed online. Fellow NBC reporter Paul Wagner reminisced about their shared experiences, stating, “Derrick and I collaborated at @WTOP in the late 90s and continued to encounter each other over the years while reporting in the city. His cheerful ‘Hey Wags’ always brought a smile to my face. Over the past four years at @nbcwashington, I had the privilege of witnessing his remarkable and captivating storytelling.”
NBC reporter Aimee Cho added, “I am utterly heartbroken by the loss of our cherished friend and colleague Derrick Ward. He was consistently kind to me and everyone he encountered. I cherished the opportunity to shadow him during my internship, gaining invaluable insights into writing, history, and life. We will always love you, Derrick.”
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