A police officer who spent more than 25 years retrieving guns from the streets in Washington, D.C., died Wednesday when he accidentally shot himself while trying to retrieve a gun from a storm drain after police pursued a suspect.

Investigator Wayne David of the district’s Metropolitan Police Department died Wednesday, MPD Executive Assistant Chief Jeff Carroll said in front of MedStar Washington Hospital Center, where David was treated before succumbing to his injuries.

“It is with a heavy heart that I announce that Investigator Wayne David, assigned to our Violent Crimes Unit, passed away here in the hospital this evening,” Carroll said.

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MPD Deputy Chief Jeff Carroll said outside MedStar Washington Hospital Center that investigator Wayne David died in the line of duty. (DC Police X)

“Wayne was a true hero for the District of Columbia. Today he gave his life to serve the visitors and residents here in the District of Columbia, and we will never forget that.”

David was attempting to retrieve a firearm that was allegedly discarded by a suspect during a chase on Interstate 295. The gun Wayne was attempting to retrieve fired, striking him in the upper body, MPD said.

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He was treated at the scene by other officers and then taken to hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

MPD Chief Pamela Smith said David was “the epitome of a great officer” who was dedicated and a “highly respected member of the department.”

Investigator Wayne David of the district’s Metropolitan Police Department was killed Wednesday while attempting to recover a firearm reportedly left behind by a suspect after a chase. (iStock)

According to a police news release, an officer noticed a vehicle on Quarles Street and attempted to stop the suspect, who then jumped out of the vehicle, leading to a foot chase.

The suspect jumped from the service road (Douglass Street NE and Kenilworth Avenue Service Road) onto southbound Interstate-295. As he jumped down, the suspect dropped the firearm into a sewer, police said.

The suspect, described as a black man with long curly hair, then fled the area on the back of a motorcycle.

The person is said to have thrown a weapon into a drain while fleeing from police officers. (City Police Department)

David found the gun before accidentally shooting himself. He was flown by helicopter to the local hospital, where he later died.

Police are seeking clues to locate the suspect and the incident remains under investigation.

David had been part of the MPD’s Violent Crimes Suppression Unit since 2017 and had helped seize hundreds of weapons during that time.

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Police officers gathered outside the hospital before they received the news of David’s death. He was a mentor to many of them and very popular, so Fox5DC.

“This is a very tragic loss for our department and our community,” Carroll said. “Our thoughts are with his family during this incredibly difficult time.”

David leaves behind a daughter, son and his girlfriend. Carroll said the death will be considered a line-of-duty death and the MPD vows to honor his legacy with ceremonies and tributes.