POST FALLS - Whether serving as Post Falls' police chief or Kootenai County clerk, Cliff Hayes found innovative ways to improve his departments with the taxpayer in mind.

Hayes, Post Falls' police chief for 21 years before becoming county clerk in January 2011, died at his Post Falls home on Thursday morning. He was 62.

"His DNA and fingerprints are all over this community," said Post Falls Police Chief Scot Haug, who was mentored by Hayes. "You always knew where you stood with him, which I respect. A lot of leaders lack that.

"He was one of the hardest-working men I've ever met. No matter how early you came to work or late you stayed, he was here."

According to the Kootenai County Sheriff's Office, which responded to Hayes' home just before 9 a.m. Thursday, the preliminary investigation revealed there were no suspicious circumstances. Cause of death is pending an autopsy.

Pat Raffee, the county's chief deputy clerk who will serve as clerk in the interim, said Hayes had a cold recently but said he was feeling better on Wednesday.

"He was an excellent leader and set a fabulous example for all of us," Raffee said. "He loved following the law and figuring out what the law means to us. That's inspiring."

Kerri Thoreson, a Post Falls City Council member, has known Hayes for more than 20 years, from when Hayes was police chief and Thoreson was publisher of the Post Falls Tribune.

"What I will most remember about Cliff is his dry wit, incredible capacity for knowledge, his love of his family and the fact that never, not once, was I able to beat him in Trivial Pursuit," Thoreson said.

"I have so much respect for his many years of public service and contributions to our community, but mostly I'm just heartbroken at the loss of a good man and a good friend," Thoreson added.

Rep. Frank Henderson, R-Post Falls, said Hayes was an "outstanding public servant."

"If it was the law, Cliff enforced it," said Henderson. "He made good judgments on how he managed people. Quite frankly, I was hoping he would run for the Legislature because he's so experienced and knows government so well."

Bruce Noble, Hayes' neighbor and friend, called Hayes "one of the smartest people I've known."

"Cliff could figure out anything, and he was a real straight shooter," Noble said.

Post Falls Mayor Clay Larkin said Hayes was a "legend in law enforcement."

"He was so dedicated to serving," Larkin said. "Whatever he did, he did it well, including taking on the task of county clerk."

Hayes was intrigued with the election process and how the results turned out, acquaintances say. As part of the Post Falls Community Volunteers, of which he was a founding member, he helped organize a non-partisan election-night party for the public to attend.

He also attracted events to Post Falls, including Fiddle Fest and a vintage emergency vehicle show through the Emergency Vehicle Operators Association.

Hayes served on the Public Employer Retirement System of Idaho Board, Post Falls Historical Society, Idaho Chiefs of Police Association, the Idaho Public Safety and Security Information System and Kootenai County 911 User Advisory Board.

"He was a fair and honest man and always looked out for his fellow citizens," said Post Falls' Joe Doellefeld, one of Hayes' friends. "He was a great citizen of our city and Kootenai County."

Hayes hired Haug as a dog catcher at PFPD in 1988, so the two worked together for more than 20 years.

"Cliff was a no-nonsense kind of person," Haug said. "He didn't want to hear, 'No, it can't be done.' He was always looking outside the box to make things happen."

Haug said you didn't want to get into an argument with Hayes on budgeting.

"He'd always had the taxpayer in mind and wanted you to negotiate with the vendors," he said.

Hayes worked for PFPD for more than 26 years, including as a dispatcher, patrol officer and detective sergeant before becoming chief. He was awarded the Law Enforcement Silver Star Award by the Idaho attorney general for outstanding service in aiding victims of crime.

Haug said Hayes helped convert the department from a small-town agency to one that's respected throughout the country for embracing technology. A computerized records management system, laptops in patrol cars, PFPD's 911 center, the license plate recognition cameras on Interstate 90 and the current police station on Polston were among the projects he shepherded.

"He had a passion for trying to be as efficient as possible by using technology," Haug said.

Hayes served as Post Falls' acting city administrator in 1990, 1993 and 1996 until the position was filled.

Just a week into serving as county clerk, Hayes called for a review of financial dealings in his department to ensure county dollars were secure.

During his election campaign for county clerk, Hayes was asked by The Press about any changes he would propose for the department. His response typified how acquaintances described Hayes in his pursuit of fairness.

"I couldn't offer any suggestions for change until I'm in there," he said. "There's two sides to every story, and the side I have is the outside. You need to be inside to evaluate how the office is running."

Hayes is survived by his wife, Jeanne; daughters Lisa, Jennifer, Melissa and Natalie; and son John.

"He was always so proud of his children and wanted them to succeed," Haug said. "It was amazing to see how he could put in the hours that he did at work and in the community and have them all turn out to be stellar individuals."