GLENDALE, Ariz. -- The body of Phoenix police officer and National Guard Staff Sgt. Thomas Rabjohn has been returned to his family in Arizona. He was killed in combat in Afghanistan.

A chartered jet carrying Rabjohn landed at Luke Air Force Base around 10:30 a.m. Monday.

For the first time, media were allowed to attend what's called the transfer ceremony, which turns over the body to the mortuary for services and preparation for final resting.

An honor guard made up of Air Force and Phoenix police personnel greeted the flag-draped coffin as it was lowered from the plane. Rabjohn's widow, three daughters, father and brothers also attended the ceremony.

Luke Air Force Base also allowed members of Rabjohn's police squad to stand on the tarmac with his family.

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.

Rabjohn was assigned to the Coolidge-based 363rd Ordnance Company, which went to Afghanistan in April after being trained early this year at Fort Lewis, Wash. The company's mission was to eliminate explosive hazards and provide ordnance disposal support.