The former director of Missouri's 21 adult prisons has been shot and killed.
Tom Clements, the executive director of the Colorado Department of Corrections since 2011, was shot and killed at his Colorado Springs-area home on Tuesday night. The shooter was still at large Wednesday.
The El Paso County sheriff's office says Clements was shot when he answered his front door around 8:30 p.m. Tuesday. A family member called to report the shooting. Clements was dead when officers arrived at his home.
Sheriff's spokesman Lt. Jeff Kramer told the Denver Post there was no evidence of a home invasion. The department was still investigating whether Clements was targeted because of his position.
George Lombardi, the director of Missouri's Department of Corrections, said Clements was "just a very good, decent person" and that he and his staff are struggling with Clements' violent death. Clements served with the department for more than 30 years, including four as director of adult institutions.
In a written statement, Gov. Jay Nixon called the murder a "heartbreaking tragedy."
"Tom dedicated his professional life and his considerable skills to public service and protection, and the citizens of Missouri join the people of Colorado in mourning this tremendous loss," the statement concluded.
Clements is survived by his wife and two daughters.
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