Derrick Ward, a longtime reporter for NBC 4 in Washington, D.C., died on Tuesday at the age of 62. His death was caused by complications from recent cardiac arrest, reported the station, which remembered its colleague as “News4’s resident DC historian and poet.” “He had a way with words and music,” NBC 4 said in a statement. “He shined when he had a pen, a microphone, or guitar in his hands. Derrick loved serving the people of Washington through his reporting. His impact on the community will sorely be missed.” Ward grew up in the D.C. area, attending HD Woodson High School and the University of Maryland. He began his career in radio, working for a number of stations in the city where he covered major stories including the Sept. 11 attack on the Pentagon and the D.C. sniper shootings. He made the move into TV news with a job at WKBW in Buffalo before returning to D.C. in 2006 to join the capital’s NBC affiliate. WTOP, a D.C. radio station where Ward once worked, also memorialized the reporter. “Derrick Ward was truly an outstanding journalist,” WTOP President Joel Oxley said. “His passion and dedication shown through every day. But what set him apart was what a great person he was. His warmth and caring were evident at every turn. Everybody liked Derrick. I saw why right away.” Ward is survived by his three children: Derrick, Jr., Ian and Marisa.