David Nelson Hayes, 60, of Waldorf, MD, died May 10, 2012 at Civista Medical Center, La Plata. Born October 5, 1951 in Washington, D.C., he was the son of James Garland Hayes, Sr. and Gladys Mae Harris Hayes Edwards.

David was a retired member of the Metropolitan Police Department where he worked as a Narcotics Detective. A member of the Fraternal Order of Police lodge #1, he was also a Model A Club member and belonged to the PADI Diving Society and loved to scuba dive with his daughter Marlea. He enjoyed restoring antique cars, spelunking and cruising the Caribbean with his wife and daughter which, were the most relaxing. He took great pleasure in helping others and spending time with his wife, children and grandchildren.

David worked on the Metropolitan Police Department for 27 years as a narcotics detective, for twelve years he was detailed to the Drug Enforcement Administration. After retiring in 1999, he served in the United International Police, missioned in Kosovo. He supervised a multi-international investigations unit investigating war crimes. For this service he was awarded the United Nations Medal for service by the United Nations Security Council.

In 2003, David was employed by Halliburton Corporation as a Security Coordinator in Kurkuk, Iraq. There he provided security for members of the DOD, U.S. Army corps of Engineers, Halliburton employees and members of the Northern Oil Company. David was then employed by Fine Productions as security and risk management in northern Uganda during the production of the film "War Dance". In addition, he traveled to Juarez, Mexico to provide security during filming. Recently he traveled to Lilongwe, Malawi to provide security for filming for the Save the Children Organization.

Predeceased by his parents, David is survived by his wife, Debra Jane Hayes; children, David Nelson Hayes, Jr., Sandra Outt and Marlea Hayes; brother, Garland Hayes and sister, Linda Ferguson; his in-laws, John and Etta Kershaw and grandchildren, Jessica Cockrell, Scot Lucas, Jr., Cameron Outt, Kelsee Hayes and Makinah Hayes.

The family will receive friends for David's Life Celebration on Wednesday, May 16 from 5:00 - 8:00p.m. at the Brinsfield-Echols Funeral Home, P.A., 30195 Three Notch Rd., Charlotte Hall, MD 20622. A Funeral Service will be held on Thursday, May 17, 2012 at 11:00a.m. at the Upper Room Fellowship, 9701 Dangerfield Rd., Clinton, MD 20735. (near Southern Maryland Hospital) Pastor Philip Harris will officiate. Interment will follow at Trinity Memorial Gardens, Waldorf, MD.

Pallbearers will be Lee Holdsworth, Bill Goodwin, David Hayes, Jr., Raymond Outt, Scot Lucas, Jr. and Sean Fine.

Arrangements provided by Brinsfield-Echols Funeral Home.