Colorado corrections director shot and killed

***UPDATE 8:42 A.M.***

Governor Nixon has released a statement following the shooting death of Tom Clements:

“This is a heartbreaking tragedy for Tom Clements’ family and everyone who was fortunate enough to have known him, including his many friends at the Missouri Department of Corrections. 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.”

***UPDATE 8:39 A.M.***

Those at the Missouri Department of Corrections say the death of Clements has hit them particularly hard.

Tom started for the Missouri Department of Corrections in 1979 as a parole officer and was with DOC until 2011 when he left for Colorado.

Director of Missouri Department of Corrections, George Lombardi, says Tom was well respected a great leader and well thought of.

Clements had lived in Columbia.

***ORIGINAL STORY***

(AP) – The head of the Colorado Department of Corrections has been shot and killed at his home, and authorities say the gunman is on the loose.

Sheriff’s Lt. Jeff Kramer says Tom Clements was shot at around 8:30 p.m. Tuesday night when he answered his front door in Monument, north of Colorado Springs.

Kramer says a family member called 911 to report the shooting and officers found Clements dead in his home. Kramer says search dogs have been called in to search a wooded area around Clements’ home.

Kramer says authorities are now going house to house trying to find out what neighbors know about the shooting.

Gov. John Hickenlooper appointed Clements to the post in 2011 after he served for more than three decades in the Missouri Department of Corrections.