'My father is everything' | Son of fallen DC police officer says he hopes to follow in his father's footsteps

Among those in the crowd was his son Davon David.

"My father is everything. He taught me a lot," Davon David told WUSA9 in an interview Monday night.

Investigator Wayne David joined the police department in 1998. He was assigned to the Gun Recovery Unit for more than a decade. In 2021, he became an investigator with the Violent Crime Suppression Division.

David specialized in removing illegal guns off the streets and finding stolen cars. David was killed Aug. 28 when a gun he was retrieving went off. 

"I will miss all of him. He can't be replaced ever," said Kalihah Barber, Wayne David's fiancée.

Barber told WUSA9 the night he died is a blur. 

"I don't even remember, I just got there as soon as I could," said Barber.

She says his love for both his family and his community was unmatched.

"He was the nicest guy you could ever meet. The one who would give you the shirt off his back," Barber said.

"He was born and raised in this community," said Harry Thomas Jr., an advisory neighborhood commissioner in Ward 5, who organized Monday night's vigil.

He told WUSA9 that Wayne David was not only his neighbor, but a friend he's known for more than 45 years.

"I will miss him dearly," said Thomas.

He explained that Wayne David was someone who constantly gave back.

"Not only was he an MPD officer, but he was the kind of neighbor even when he got off work he was doing what he could for our community," said Thomas.

D.C. Police Chief Pamela Smith also addressed the crowd at the vigil. 

"He was a true servant. Every Sunday morning he would show up at the church on M Street. He was not a member of that church, but certainly a guardian of those who sat in church," she said.

Smith said his story touched her heart.

"Often times you don't hear of folks growing up and staying in their communities but here was one young man who did just that. But not just as a police officer but as a human being. What you heard here tonight is he was human. He didn't take into consideration any economic social status. What he did is whenever he saw that there was a need to help that's what he did," she told WUSA9 Monday night.

Several others in the crowd also shared stories about Wayne David, and the impact he had on them.

"He gave to this community and required nothing in return," said Barber.

"His smile first but his sense of humanity and willingness to be part of the community and be present," said Robert Vinson Brannum.

"I got to see tonight the unwavering support and impact he's had on everyone," said Davon David.

He told WUSA9 he hopes to also have an impact like his father did.

"I currently go to Morgan State and major in computer science. I plan to work with the FBI. So, going into law enforcement and being a part of that. Carrying on my father's legacy and being a part of that impact is very special to me," said Davon David.

As for what we can all learn from the life Wayne David lead, Thomas said "that every day is precious. I always remind people that the dash in between the day you're born and die has to be a dash that means something. His life had meaning."

Thomas told WUSA9 they hope to rename one of the streets near David's Northeast home, in his honor.

"So we will never forget his impact on our community," he said.