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During his funeral, those closest to Wayne David didn’t just talk about his accomplishments as an officer, but his life as a colleague, a father, and a friend.
WASHINGTON — Law enforcement gathered from across the DMV to support the family of Wayne David as they paid their last respects to the fallen DC Police officer.
David died in late August while trying to retrieve a gun that was reportedly thrown in a storm drain. When the gun went off, David was hit and later died in the hospital.
“It is a tragic loss for our community,” said MPD Police Chief Pamela Smith. “Sometimes, people see this job as a thankless job. We feel that it’s thankless at times, but this humanizes the work that we do every single day.”
On Thursday, lines stretched out the door of the church and even wrapped around the building as people waited to get one last viewing of the 25-year MPD veteran.
During the funeral, Mayor Muriel Bowser spoke on David’s time in the Violent Crimes Suppression Division. She says while the District can’t measure David’s impact, it’s definitely felt.
“Our city is safer and stronger,” Bowser said, “We can’t measure the people who’re still alive because of the guns Wayne got off the streets, we can’t count the moms who still have their sons or the children who still have their parents, or the friend groups who never went through the trauma and tragedy of losing a close friend.”
Chief Smith also discussed how David was a valuable investigator and officer, who followed in the footsteps of his older brother in joining the force. She said the qualities that made David a capable officer were also what made him a good man.
“He led from his heart with every person he encountered,” Smith said. “He led with his heart for every decision that he made to keep out city safe and to remove the guns from the streets, he led with his heart for every decision that was important to him and that was important to his family.”
Finally, attendees heard from those who knew the man behind the badge: David’s own children.
“I remember your laugh and humor, the twinkle in your eye, and all the ways you taught- you taught me to be strong, watch over us, guide us, keep us safe, hear us when we pray, and I’ll carry you in my heart until we reunite in heaven someday,” said David’s daughter, Wanita.
“I promise to make you proud, always carry our last name with pride, and strive to live up to the example you set,” said Davon David. “You are my forever hero, thank you, and I love you, Dad.”
Investigator David was laid to rest this afternoon in Maryland’s Fort Lincoln’s Cemetery.
English (US) ·