A soldier with ties to Massachusetts has been killed in Afghanistan.

Staff Sgt. Eric Shaw, 31, was killed by enemy gunfire while serving with the 327th Infantry, First Brigade Combat Team from Fort Campbell, Kentucky. It was Shaw's third combat tour.

Shaw was born in Massachusetts and raised in Exeter, Maine. His mother lives in Rhode Island.

"All soldiers in combat pay a deep price for their service. For some, they make the ultimate sacrifice," Gov. John Baldacci said. "Staff Sgt. Shaw was a dedicated soldier with a young family. We will keep his wife and his children in our prayers. Our entire State mourns with them."

Shaw's wife was visiting her parents in Maine when she was notified of her husband's death. She lives in Tennessee with the couple's three children -- ages 5 years old, 2 years old and 6 weeks old.