PHOENIX -- The Arizona homecoming of National Guard Staff Sergeant and Phoenix Police Officer Thomas Rabjohn was somber, emotional and unusual.

The transfer ceremony was the first at Luke Air Force Base to be open to the media, and Phoenix police officers were invited to join the honor guard in a ceremony almost always carried out exclusively by the military.

Rabjohn's widow, three daughters, father and brother greeted his flag-draped coffin, and in another unusual occurrence, members of his police squad were also allowed at the ceremony.

"Those officers really, really wanted to be here," said Phoenix Police Commander Chris Crockett. "Some of those guys worked all night last night, and they got off work and came over here."

Added Crockett, "(It's) very, very hard to see big, strong police officers break down and cry."

Rabjohn, a former Marine and seven-year veteran of the Phoenix Police Department, died diffusing a bomb in Afghanistan as part of the 363rd Ordnance Unit of Arizona's Army National Guard.

"It was a type of operation where he was the only one on top of (the bomb) and everybody else was back-shielded," said National Guard Maj. Paul Aguirre.

Rabjohn reportedly lay on top of the bomb when it detonated.

"I guess that's the type of guy Staff Sergeant Thomas Rabjohn was," Aguirre said.

A caravan of police and military vehicle escorted the hearse to a funeral home in Goodyear, west of Phoenix. Plans for the visitation and funeral are pending.

Phoenix police officers will stand vigil at Rabjohn's casket at all hours until his burial.

Reporter Donna Rossi contributed to this story.