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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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 TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB
MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
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 XkBf0vl8SdDUDz6Psb8wxQ==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0000935836-08-000203.txt : 20080407
<SEC-HEADER>0000935836-08-000203.hdr.sgml : 20080407
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20080407144758
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0000935836-08-000203
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	3
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20080327
FILED AS OF DATE:		20080407
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20080407

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			RURAL/METRO CORP /DE/
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000906326
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	LOCAL & SUBURBAN TRANSIT & INTERURBAN HWY PASSENGER TRAINS [4100]
		IRS NUMBER:				860746929
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			0630

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		9221 EAST VIA DE VENTURA
		CITY:			SCOTTSDALE
		STATE:			AZ
		ZIP:			85258
		BUSINESS PHONE:		4806063886

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		9221 EAST VIA DE VENTURA
		CITY:			SCOTTSDALE
		STATE:			AZ
		ZIP:			85258

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	RURAL METRO CORP /DE/
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19930528

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			Shackelton Christopher S
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001430708

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		3
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	000-22056
		FILM NUMBER:		08742664

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		BUSINESS PHONE:		212-488-5555

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		825 THIRD AVENUE
		STREET 2:		36TH FLOOR
		CITY:			NEW YORK
		STATE:			NY
		ZIP:			10022
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>3
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>primary_doc.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0202</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>3</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2008-03-27</periodOfReport>

    <noSecuritiesOwned>0</noSecuritiesOwned>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000906326</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>RURAL/METRO CORP /DE/</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>RURL</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001430708</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>Shackelton Christopher S</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>825 THIRD AVENUE</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>36TH FLOOR</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>NEW YORK</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>NY</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>10022</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>1677459</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>I</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value>See Note</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeHolding>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">These securities are held directly by an investment limited partnership of which Coliseum Capital, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, is general partner, and Coliseum Capital Management, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (together with Coliseum Capital, LLC, &quot;Coliseum&quot;), is investment adviser.  Mr. Shackelton is an employee of Coliseum and a director of the Issuer.  Each of Mr. Shackelton and Coliseum disclaims beneficial ownership of these securities except to the extent of that person's pecuniary interest therein.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Christopher S. Shackleton</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2008-04-04</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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