News4 grieves the loss of general assignment reporter Derrick Ward, who passed away in January 2025.
A native of the District of Columbia, Ward grew up in Marshall Heights and the H Street Corridor in Northeast. He lived through the 1968 riots and documented his experiences on News4 as part of the station's 40th anniversary coverage.
Ward attended H.D. Woodson High School and the University of Maryland before beginning his journalism career in radio. He worked for WPFW, WAMU and WTOP, covering major stories such as the Iran-Contra hearings, the Sept. 11 attack on the Pentagon, and the D.C.-area sniper shootings.
When Ward made the move to television reporting, his first job was at WKBW-TV in Buffalo. He returned to Washington in 2006 and began reporting for News4.
Ward, who lived in Bowie, Maryland, enjoyed spending time with his three children and playing guitar and golf. He had a way with words and music. He shone when he had a pen, a microphone — or a guitar – in his hands.
In a statement after his passing, Ward's family called him an inspiration and cherished member of his family and hometown.
The Latest
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Dashcam video shows firefighters rushing to DC building collapse, fire
A building collapse is under investigation in D.C. It happened after a woman drove into the building on on Bunker Hill Road NE Thursday morning. News4’s Derrick Ward has the details.
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Woman hurt, burning building collapses after Northeast DC crash
A woman is seriously hurt and a burning building partially collapsed in Northeast D.C. early Thursday after a car crashed into the building, authorities say.
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Fairfax mom honors late son on Christmas while raising addiction awareness
It’s the time of year when bringing the family together is important. For the past three years for Debbie Zane, that’s meant a visit that’s included a visit to a cemetery — a bittersweet tradition. “It’s a way of connecting with him,” she said. “It’s a way that I spend all holidays and special times.” The cemetery is adorned...
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Senate passes separate RFK stadium site bill after removal from federal spending bill
The passage early Saturday comes after a provision to transfer control of the land from the federal government to D.C. was removed from Congress’ slimmed-down, short-term spending bill as lawmakers raced to pass it before a government shutdown.
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Jewish communities consider security as Hanukkah approaches
As Hanukkah celebrations approach, security at synagogues, community centers and schools is a concern.
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Teddy bears honor Ukrainian children killed in the war with Russia
February will mark three years since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Since then, more than 600 Ukrainian children have been killed. To honor the lives lost, hundreds of teddy bears were placed at the Washington Monument Friday morning. Voices raised to the words of the Ukrainian national anthem drifted across the monument grounds. Teddy bears were arrayed in neat rows, each…
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Motorcycle driver killed in crash with DC police cruiser
A motorcycle driver died after crashing into the side of an unmarked D.C. police cruiser in Columbia Heights early Saturday morning, police said.
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Virginia town to honor Bluemont plane crash victims after 50 years
Fifty years after a plane with 92 people on board crashed in Loudoun County, Virginia, a memorial honoring the victims is set to be unveiled. The afternoon of Dec. 1, 1974, was quiet in the town of Bluemont — until residents were shaken by what happened on the mountain. TWA Flight 514, a Boeing 727 from Columbus, Ohio, bound for…
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Elderly man dead after Prince George's County house fire
An elderly man died in a house fire in Brentwood, Maryland early Sunday morning, according to Prince George’s County Fire and EMS Department. Firefighters responded to the 3400 block of Webster Street at 12:39 a.m. where they found the first floor of the duplex in flames. “It was definitely scary,” said a neighbor. “We heard the banging. My daughters were…
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Mother of 3 killed in Oxon Hill hit-and-run
A woman was killed in a hit-and-run in Oxon Hill, Maryland, Thursday night. Sandra Abarca Orellana had been shopping at a mall on Oxon Hill Road and was crossing the road, headed for a bus stop, when she was struck by a car after 9 p.m. The 52-year-old mother of three was pronounced dead at the scene. The initial lookout…
