WESTFIELD: Special Agent, Kimberly D. Place, 43, formerly of Gloucester, died in the line of duty on Wednesday, August 1, 2007 in West Springfield while returning from an enforcement operation with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).
Born in Gloucester on July 4, 1964, she was the daughter of Caroline A. (Johnson) Place of Gloucester and the late Richard W. Place. She was a graduate of the Gloucester High School class of 1982 and Salem State College.
She was employed as a Special Agent with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), and was currently assigned to the Springfield Gun Task Force. Ms. Place began her career with ATF in 1987 as a regulatory inspector in the Boston Field Division. She spent nine years in that position providing regulatory oversight to the alcohol, tobacco, firearms and explosives industries throughout New England. In 1996, she transferred to ATF’s budget office in Washington, DC. In 1998, Ms. Place became a Special Agent and was transferred to the Dallas Field Division. In 2005, she returned to her New England roots and was assigned to the Springfield Field Office.
In addition to her dedication as a public servant with ATF, she also gave of herself as a volunteer for several charitable organizations. Since 2005, she has impacted the lives of several young women through her work with the Big Sister’s Program, where she became a big sister to Olivia and had recently been accepted into the Massachusetts Foster Parents Program. Ms. Place was also a devout animal lover as evidenced by her volunteer work with the Animal Rescue League. While residing on Cape Ann, she had attended the First Parish Unitarian Universalist Church in Beverly. She was devoted to her family and friends and will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved her.
In addition to her mother, she is survived by her sister and brother-in-law, Deborah C. and George J. Machain, two nieces, Jennifer L. Machain and Jacqueline L. Machain, grandnieces and grandnephews, Molly and Madeline, Benjamin and Geoffrey Schlegel, and many aunts, uncles, cousins and dear friends including, Carol Morello. She also leaves behind her pets, Shiloh, Missy and Bea.
Funeral services will be held on Wednesday morning in the Pleasant Grove Cemetery, (Pine St. exit off Rt. 128) Manchester-by-the-Sea at 10 a.m. Visiting hours will be held on Tuesday evening in the Pike-Grondin Funeral Home, 61 Middle Street, Gloucester from 5 – 8 p.m. Relatives and friends are cordially invited to attend. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in her memory to the Cape Ann Animal Aid, 260 Main St., Gloucester, MA 01930.