(CNN) – Sarah Palin said she hopes President Barack Obama "pays his respects" to the slain former Navy SEAL Chris Kyle, who was killed at a shooting range by a fellow veteran on February 2.
In Dallas for the funeral, the former Alaska governor said she and her husband "find it sad to see that flags aren't flying at half staff for this American hero."
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"We're surrounded today by American patriots here in Texas – by Chris' fellow veterans and active duty warriors," she wrote on Facebook Monday morning. "In honor of them, I hope our commander in chief pays his respects in some gesture of condolence for their comrade in arms who sacrificed so much to keep him and all of us safe."
Kyle, who was 38, served four combat tours in Iraq and received two Silver Stars, among other commendations. He left the Navy in 2009. He was most known for declaring himself the "most lethal sniper in U.S. history" with more than 150 sniper killings in Iraq, which he described as a record for any American.
"We may never know to what extent Chris kept us free or how many lives he saved by his brave actions in the line of fire. But his fellow warriors know how important he was," Palin wrote.
Shortly after his death, Palin wrote on Facebook that she had lost a friend. She explained that she and her husband, Todd, first met Kyle in Pella, Iowa, when he helped out with security for the premiere of "The Undefeated," a documentary about Palin that debuted in June 2011.
"Later we became friends with Chris when he was on 'Stars Earn Stripes' with Todd," she said, referring to the NBC reality show in which competitors took on missions based on military exercises.
"Chris was a wonderful man, a good friend, and a true American hero who loved our country and served honorably," she continued. "He was loved and admired by so many, and he will never be forgotten."
