Texas Governor declares Feb. 2 to be ‘Chris Kyle Day’

Published January 30, 2015 10:08pm ET



Calling it a “privilege,” Texas Gov. Greg Abbott officially declared Feb. 2 to be “Chris Kyle Day.”

Chris Kyle, the deadliest sniper in American history and the basis for the Oscar-nominated movie “American Sniper,” was called “a true American hero,” by Abott.

Feb. 2 will be the two-year anniversary of Kyle’s death.

Kyle and his friend Chad Littlefield were fatally shot at a gun range southwest of Fort Worth, Texas. Ex-Marine Eddie Ray Routh was charged with capital murder and his trial is scheduled to begin next month.

Kyle’s “hero” status has been much debated since the release of “American Sniper,” but the movie’s box office success has broken at least six records and his widow said she was “grateful” to those who have supported his family.