DALLAS POLICE DEPARTMENT, FRIEND
Vincent and Jennifer Lee at their wedding with Chris and Taya. The couple became fast friends after Chris resettled in Texas.
When you were in Chris’s presence, you couldn’t help but notice his physical stature. He had wide shoulders, big arms, and a strong handshake. But the really impressive thing about the guy was his personality. His energy filled the room when he walked into it.
I met him a few years back. I’d heard of him before, but what I’d heard seemed almost mythological. It was hard to gauge what was real and what was not. Frankly, I expected to meet a gruff, maybe even mean-spirited man. I did not. Oh, his physical bearing and stance were exactly as advertised: he was a bad-ass. But then, as I watched him interact with the people around him, I saw that he was amazingly humble and kindhearted. He even seemed a little naive: he saw good things in everyone.
I was honored when he selected me to work security for him during his book tour—although I found it ironic and even humorous that I’d be providing security for a guy who could easily kick my ass. I felt a deep sense of pride as I traveled the country with a man I truly respected and admired.
I remember his very first book signing in Dallas. I arrived at the Barnes & Noble bookstore hours early to conduct a site advance. There was a crowd of two hundred people. I called back to the detail and told them the numbers. We all braced for what would be the beginning of an incredible journey.
Over eight hundred people showed up to get books signed and shake hands with “The Legend” that night. After it was over, we all knew that Chris Kyle was now a rock star. Yet he remained a humble soul. Later on the book tour, we found ourselves booked into a fleabag hotel. We all laughed because we knew no one had bothered to research the hotel: Why on earth would they put Chris Kyle in such a dump? It wasn’t until weeks later that I found out Chris had a suite at the finest hotel in town but refused to stay there because his security people did not have a room there.
I have a lot of good memories from that tour. No matter where else we were due, Chris was clear that he wasn’t leaving until everyone who wanted to take a photo, get a copy of American Sniper signed, or just talk was satisfied. It didn’t matter how long it took or how little sleep he’d gotten. He would stand there the entire time and thank every veteran for their service. He made sure that every elderly person would not have to stand too long. And through it all, he was more concerned for Taya’s safety than he was for his own.
In my line of work I’ve had an opportunity to meet many great leaders of this nation. I say with no hesitation and absolutely no hyperbole, Chris was as good a man as I’ve ever had the honor to shake hands with. He is the “rough man” George Orwell speaks of. He stood ready in the night to visit violence upon those who would do us harm. I will miss my friend.