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MONUMENT, COLO. -- Governor Hickenlooper fought back tears Wednesday morning as he remembered the Department of Corrections head he appointed just two years ago.

"He was a great friend to me to I think all of us, in many ways he helped define what a public servant is," Governor Hickenlooper explained. "We are so grateful for time he gave us. He was a dedicated committed funny, caring expert at corrections.
After a deep sigh, Hickenlooper struggled to continue, "He had a sense of humor that all of us...You almost can't describe it but his sense of time when he would let a zinger fly was so unpredictable and yet so astute."

The correctional community Clements headed is remembering the dedicated man and lighthearted leader. Gov. Hickenlooper said he, "was far and away the best choice we could find in the country."
He added that Clements, "did his job quietly and intently. He cared deeply about his staff, his family, community."

Clements is survived by his wife Lisa, and two daughters, one of whom made the initial 911 call.

"Our thoughts and prayers are with his wife Lisa and two daughters. All of the employees at the Department of Corrections that Tom worked so hard with and Tom's family has requested privacy at this time," Hickenlooper said. "You can imagine this is the hardest time that anyone can possibly go through. They are grieving as we are all grieving."

Before being appointed to the Colorado department in Jan. 2011, Clements was director of Adult Institutions for the Missouri Corrections Department and had been with the Missouri department since 1979.
George Lombardi, director of Missouri's Department of Corrections, said he and his staff are struggling with Clements's death and says Clements was "just a very good, decent person."

Gov. Jay Nixon also said in an emailed statement that Clements' death is "heartbreaking tragedy" and that Clements had dedicated his professional life to public service.

Clements is at least the second person to be killed while he was in charge of a state penitentiary system.
Michael Francke, head of the Oregon Department of Corrections, was fatally stabbed outside his office in Salem, Ore., in Jan. 1989.