DC police officer killed trying to retrieve gun from storm drain remembered at funeral
FORT WASHINGTON, Md. - A Washington, D.C. police officer who died after a gun he was trying to recover from a storm drain accidentally fired was remembered during funeral services Thursday.
Investigator Wayne David was laid to rest following a service at Ebenezer A.M.E. Church in Fort Washington, Maryland.
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David was a member of the Metropolitan Police Department for more than 25 years.
Authorities say on August 29, officers saw a person get out of suspicious vehicle in northeast Washington, take off on foot, and jump onto Interstate 295. The person threw a gun down a storm drain before fleeing on the back of a motorcycle, authorities said.
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David was trying to get the gun out of the drain when it went off, striking him in the head.
Authorities arrested 27-year-old Tyrell Bailey and charged him with unlawful possession of a firearm in connection with David’s death.
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David's funeral procession passed through parts of Northeast D.C. and Prince George’s County on Thursday.
Shortly after David was killed, DC Chief of Police Pamela Smith called him "the epitome of a great officer." "He was a dedicated and highly respected member of the department, and this is a tremendous loss for all of us," Smith said.
The investigation into the incident is ongoing.
READ MORE: DC area officials mourn police officer killed after gun he was trying to retrieve went off