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Clements Remembered As Admired, Respected Boss

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (CBS4)- All 6,000 Colorado Department of Corrections employees are mourning the death of their executive director Tom Clements.

Clements was killed after he answered the door at his home in Monument at approximately 8:30 p.m. Tuesday.

The man was truly respected and admired in his position with the DOC. Employees said it has been difficult.

"My first words were, 'No, no,' said Colorado Dept. of Corrections employee Alison Morgan.

Morgan worked with Clements during his entire two years in Colorado.

"We will carry on because he would expect that of us. But we are hurting," said Morgan.

Morgan said she knew him as both a boss and a person, "He was a tremendous leader. He also had a phenomenal sense of humor. He loved to laugh."

On Wednesday, employees of the DOC wore mourning bands over their badges and grief counselors were staffed at the headquarters and other locations.

Tom Clements
Tom Clements (credit: youtube)

Morgans said Clements loved his work but also realized the dangers, "Tom was the first one to say that corrections was inherently a dangerous business."

Hickenlooper traveled to Colorado Springs on Wednesday to comfort Clements' coworkers.

He promised justice for his friend, "We're not going to back off. We're not going to give in on the reforms he was working for. We're not going to let them win. That's what I want people to know, we're not going to let them win. And we will find this person and we will bring them to justice."

"It's been emotional. He will be sorely missed," said Morgan.

Clements public memorial is scheduled for 10 a.m. Monday at New Life Church in Colorado Springs.

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