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Thomas Lynn Clements
Incident
Executive Director Tom Clements was assassinated at his home in Monument, Colorado, by a former inmate.
Two days earlier, the subject had murdered a pizza deliveryman in Denver, Colorado, and stole the man's uniform and pizza carrier. On the night that Director Clements was murdered, the subject had knocked on his door at approximately 8:30 pm. When Director Clements answered the door, he was fatally shot, and the subject fled the scene.
A deputy sheriff from the Montague County, Texas, Sheriff's Office attempted to stop the subject's car for a traffic violation two days later. The subject opened fire on the deputy, wounding him several times, before leading other officers on a chase into neighboring Wise County. During the ensuing shooting, the subject was shot and fatally wounded. It was later determined that the subject was a member of a Colorado white supremacist gang. The person who purchased the gun for the felon was sentenced to two years.
Director Clements had served with the Colorado Department of Corrections for two years. He had previously served with the Missouri Department of Corrections for over 30 years and had started his career as a probation officer.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife and two daughters.
In Our Keeping
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- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
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- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
33 years. You could have gone home.
Executive Director Clements gave the Colorado Department of Corrections 33 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the people of Colorado. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Executive Director Clements.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Colorado Department of Corrections has lost 18 officers; 14 of them killed feloniously.
Thomas is one of 236 officers killed feloniously in CO, 65.4% of the 361 remembered there.
Thomas is one of 15,742 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Thomas is one of 17,622 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,102 remembered here.
34,102 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 2013, 1 officer at Colorado Department of Corrections was killed feloniously, the 2nd heaviest of 7 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 8.
In 2013, 2 officers in CO were killed feloniously, the 33rd heaviest of 113 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 9.
In 2013, 43 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 144th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 2013, 49 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 143rd heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Thomas was 58. Of the 12 killed feloniously at Colorado Department of Corrections whose age is recorded, half were between 45 and 62.3; the middle age was 53.5. Thomas had served 33 years; the middle length of service was 16 years.
Thomas was 58. Of the 184 killed feloniously in CO whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 47; the middle age was 39. Thomas had served 33 years; the middle length of service was 4 years.
Thomas was 58. Of the 14,219 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. Thomas had served 33 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Thomas was 58. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Thomas had served 33 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
March holds 7.1% of these deaths at Colorado Department of Corrections; October holds the most, 64.3%. Tuesdays: 7.1%.
March holds 8.1% of these deaths in CO; October holds the most, 11.9%. Tuesdays: 13.6%.
March holds 7.5% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Tuesdays: 13.4%.
March holds 7.8% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Tuesdays: 13.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 77.8% of all 18 deaths at Colorado Department of Corrections, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 14.3% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 65.4% of all 361 deaths in CO, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 27.5% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 23.4% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,102 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 20.9% of these deaths.
His people
Colorado Department of Corrections has 18 officers remembered here, Thomas among them.
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Thomas Tobin Jul 4, 1899
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William C. Rooney Jan 22, 1900
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John B. Russell Jun 19, 1913
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Raymond Brown Oct 3, 1929
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John J. Eeles Oct 3, 1929
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Elmer G. Erwin Oct 3, 1929
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J. W. McClelland Oct 3, 1929
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C. Walter Rinker Oct 3, 1929
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Charles G. Shepherd Oct 3, 1929
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Robert A. Wiggins Oct 3, 1929
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Myron H. Goodwin Oct 10, 1929
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Victor Bryan McMillin Dec 21, 1961
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Marc A. Perse
Aug 15, 1994
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Eric Jason Autobee
Oct 18, 2002
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Mary Katherine Ricard
Sep 24, 2012
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Thomas Lynn Clements
Mar 19, 2013
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Joshua Eli Voth
Dec 4, 2019
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Christine Guerin-Sandoval
Sep 28, 2023
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 11-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
17 officers from Colorado Department of Corrections are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
