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Colorado prisons chief Tom Clements shot dead Colorado prisons chief Tom Clements shot dead
(about 3 hours later)
The head of the department of corrections in the US state of Colorado has been shot dead at his home, authorities say.The head of the department of corrections in the US state of Colorado has been shot dead at his home, authorities say.
Tom Clements, 58, was shot on Tuesday evening as he was called to the front door of his home near the city of Colorado Springs, officials said.Tom Clements, 58, was shot on Tuesday evening as he was called to the front door of his home near the city of Colorado Springs, officials said.
Police have launched a manhunt for his killer.Police have launched a manhunt for his killer.
Police spokesman Lt Jeff Kramer said search dogs had been called in to scour a wooded area around Mr Clements' home.Police spokesman Lt Jeff Kramer said search dogs had been called in to scour a wooded area around Mr Clements' home.
Lt Kramer said a family member reported the shooting at at about 20:30 local time (02:30 GMT on Wednesday) and officers found Mr Clements dead in his home in the town of Monument.Lt Kramer said a family member reported the shooting at at about 20:30 local time (02:30 GMT on Wednesday) and officers found Mr Clements dead in his home in the town of Monument.
Police have not yet suggested any motive for the killing.Police have not yet suggested any motive for the killing.
Lt Kramer was quoted by the Denver Post as saying that there was no evidence of an attempted robbery or break-in.Lt Kramer was quoted by the Denver Post as saying that there was no evidence of an attempted robbery or break-in.
"We know of his position and realise that it is a possible motive for a crime such as this," the El Paso County Sheriff's office spokesman told the newspaper."We know of his position and realise that it is a possible motive for a crime such as this," the El Paso County Sheriff's office spokesman told the newspaper.
"It's a quick, rapidly evolving investigation.""It's a quick, rapidly evolving investigation."
Colorado Governor John Hickenlooper appointed Mr Clements to the post in 2011. The prisons chief had previously worked for more than three decades in the Missouri Department of Corrections.Colorado Governor John Hickenlooper appointed Mr Clements to the post in 2011. The prisons chief had previously worked for more than three decades in the Missouri Department of Corrections.
The governor praised Mr Clements' track record, saying he had found ways of improving prison safety and setting up programmes that helped offenders reintegrate successfully after leaving prison.The governor praised Mr Clements' track record, saying he had found ways of improving prison safety and setting up programmes that helped offenders reintegrate successfully after leaving prison.
In a statement sent to employees of the department of corrections, Gov Hickenlooper said: "Last night, Tom Clements was killed at his home in Monument. I can hardly believe it, let alone write words to describe it." Speaking at a news conference on Wednesday, Gov Hickenlooper said he did not believe the attack on Mr Clements was part of a wider threat to his cabinet.
He described Mr Clements as "unfailingly kind and thoughtful" and someone who "sought the good in any situation". "Corrections is a very different job. You make difficult decisions every time that affect different people," the governor said.
In a sombre tone, and with red eyes, Gov Hickenlooper added that Mr Clements was a caring and dedicated expert.
"Tom Clements dedicated his life to being a public servant, to making our state a better place and he is going to be deeply, deeply missed," he said.
The governor is expected to meet Mr Clements family later on Wednesday.
Gov Hickenlooper has ordered flags in the state to be flown at half-mast from sunrise to sunset until the day after Mr Clements's funeral, the Denver Post reported.Gov Hickenlooper has ordered flags in the state to be flown at half-mast from sunrise to sunset until the day after Mr Clements's funeral, the Denver Post reported.
Mr Clements is survived by his wife and two daughters.Mr Clements is survived by his wife and two daughters.