Army Staff Sgt. Thomas D. Rabjohn

Died October 3, 2009 Serving During Operation Enduring Freedom

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39, of Litchfield Park, Ariz.; assigned to the 363rd Explosive Ordnance Detachment, Arizona National Guard, Coolidge, Ariz.; died Oct. 3 in Wardak province, Afghanistan, of wounds sustained when an IED detonated during an attempt to disarm it.

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Arizona guardsman killed in Afghanistan

The Associated Press

PHOENIX — A Phoenix policeman who deployed to Afghanistan with his Arizona Army National Guard company was fatally wounded during combat operations, guard officials announced Sunday.

Staff Sgt. Thomas Rabjohn, 39, of Litchfield Park died on Saturday.

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.

Rabjohn is survived by his wife, Nikki, and daughters Kylee, 14, Koree, 13, and Kelsee, 12.

The family said in a statement released by the Arizona National Guard that Rabjohn was a wonderful father and husband.

“He died doing what he loved. He prided himself on his performance and knowledge of his job both in the military and on the police force. We loved him very much and will miss him even more,” the family said.

Army Maj. Gen. Hugo E. Salazar, the adjutant general of the Arizona National Guard, said his thoughts and prayers were with Rabjohn’s family.

“He was dedicated to service before self as evident by his service in both the Arizona National Guard and the Phoenix Police Department,” Salazar said. “He was among the best of our non-commissioned officer corps and will be missed.”

Phoenix police issued a statement saying the department was saddened to learn of Rabjohn’s death. He had been with the department since September 2002.

Funeral arrangements were pending.