DETROIT — Kim Marie Battle, a veteran ATF agent in Detroit, mother of a 12-year-old daughter, and a loyal fan of local Detroit sports teams, died early this month after battling breast cancer. She was 47.
Her motto was: “Courage is being afraid, but going on anyhow.”
Battle came from a family tradition of law enforcement. Her father, Richard “Dick” Newcomb was a Detroit Police detective for more than 32 years.
Her father encouraged her to enter law enforcement. She began her career as a pre-trial specialist at Recorder’s Court in downtown Detroit.
According to close friend Jennifer Granzow , she was humbled by the responsibility of serving the citizens.
She grew up in Southwest Detroit, graduated Bishop Borgess High School and Wayne State University.
Friends says she was a a loyal fan of the Michigan Wolverines, Detroit Tigers and Detroit Red Wings.
People who knew her say she enjoyed spending time with family, friends and her four-legged “girls” (her three dogs). Kim was a member of St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, in Livonia, Mich.
Kim is survived by her mother, Marie Josephine Newcomb, and her daughter Delaney Marie Battle.
“Kim’s daughter was the light of her life,” said Granzow. “Delaney is a loving, resilient and delightful twelve year old. She was by Kim’s side throughout her struggle and reminded all at the memorial, that those closest to Kim are ‘thankful that God has taken Kim out of her battle with cancer.’”
Granzow added: “Kim was better than a sister. I miss her.”
Bernard La Forest, the former head of the Detroit ATF Division, who hired Battle, wrote:
“One of my heroes, Kim “Newcomb” Battle has taken the walk … those sacred steps we must all tread someday. She was true to what her last name bespoke—a tenacious fighter. To the law enforcement profession she loved so much, she was a proud member. A Senior Special Agent with ATF, Kim battled breast cancer with grit and firm resolve. It was not unlike how her father faced off against his life-ending illness. Richard “Dick” Newcomb, was a retired DPD Detective. Kim, Dick, and my own DPD partner and brother—Paul La Forest, have provided us with gallant benchmarks on how one projects strength and dignity when the end is in sight. God bless them all!”
“Kim and her dad were “solid blue through-and-through'”
The American Cancer Society, Relay for Life, will be held in Livonia on June 8 and “Kim’s Battle Brigade,” will be there to honor her memory. (For information on that click here.)
Those who have a memory of Kim they’d like to share with her daughter, please send a postcard, note or photo for a memory book for Delaney to: Attn: Ms. Jennifer Granzow, P.O. Box 372, Plainwell, MI 49080.
A trust has been created for Delaney. Contributions may be sent to the P.O. Box above.
