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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
Originator-Key-Asymmetric:
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 TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB
MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 G4skRRlXSyv+tahuQc2lQKfqnRZZFriNiJd+eDl8G0Ea1ep+59Oy0qkU82WBlX82
 2d2xijekUCUXcw6JhywoKw==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001181431-04-027088.txt : 20040520
<SEC-HEADER>0001181431-04-027088.hdr.sgml : 20040520
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20040520184523
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001181431-04-027088
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20040519
FILED AS OF DATE:		20040520

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			BRUCKER JACK E
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001162646

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	000-22056
		FILM NUMBER:		04822389

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		RURAL METRO CORP
		STREET 2:		8401 E INDIAN SCHOOL RD
		CITY:			SCOTTSDALE
		STATE:			AZ
		ZIP:			85251

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		RURAL METRO CORP
		STREET 2:		8401 E INDIAN SCHOOL RD
		CITY:			SCOTTSDALE
		STATE:			AZ
		ZIP:			85251

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:		8401 EAST INDIAN SCHOOL RD
		CITY:			SCOTTSDALE
		STATE:			AZ
		ZIP:			85251
		BUSINESS PHONE:		4809943886
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>rrd43101.xml
<DESCRIPTION>FORM 4 DATED 05/20/2004
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0202</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2004-05-19</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

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

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001162646</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>BRUCKER JACK E</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>C/O RURAL METRO CORPORATION</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>8401 E. INDIAN SCHOOL</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>SCOTTSDALE</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>AZ</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>85251</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle>President &amp; CEO</officerTitle>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2004-05-19</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>P</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>25000</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>1.3998</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>50000</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ Jack E. Brucker</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2004-05-20</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>

</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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