Welcome Dave,
I can't speak for other TD's but it was obvious that the floor had no idea the clock was being put on the player in seat 8 and not 4. I agree with Chet, when he said, "the dealer should run the game in a professional manner." That would include letting the floor know exactly what's going on at the table and instruct the 4 seat player, to sit back and not obstruct the view, or action of others. Once the mistake was realized, the worst scenario is to give the player in the 8 seat another minute and ten seconds to respond. It was possible that he (8 seat) also thought that the clock was on the 4 seat, even though that player had no cards.
Chet, I don't know if there is a specific position that the "floor" should be standing at when the clock is on a player. I would think that any position that gives the floor full view of the action is okay. I, personally, don't want anyone standing behind me when I'm playing and that includes floor persons.