-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----
Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
Originator-Key-Asymmetric:
 MFgwCgYEVQgBAQICAf8DSgAwRwJAW2sNKK9AVtBzYZmr6aGjlWyK3XmZv3dTINen
 TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB
MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 QFvmxVCTf2trSMaNy3KfWFZovbs2c3BJI0aTik4ja9Gw9qyh/+ZKfqIXOEV26Isc
 JvedW2UXPGL+H49sL9Vltg==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001181431-10-022055.txt : 20100419
<SEC-HEADER>0001181431-10-022055.hdr.sgml : 20100419
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20100419205926
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001181431-10-022055
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	3
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20100407
FILED AS OF DATE:		20100419
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20100419

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			Gibson Mickeul B.
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001489384

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		3
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	000-22056
		FILM NUMBER:		10758243

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

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
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>3
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>rrd272865.xml
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0203</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>3</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2010-04-07</periodOfReport>

    <noSecuritiesOwned>0</noSecuritiesOwned>

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

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001489384</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>Gibson Mickeul B.</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>9221 E. VIA DE VENTURA</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>SCOTTSDALE</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>AZ</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>85258</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle>Group President</officerTitle>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>12485</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeHolding>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <derivativeTable>
        <derivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Employee Stock Option (Right to Buy)</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>0.39</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <exerciseDate>
                <value>2001-12-17</value>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2011-12-17</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>10000</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeHolding>
        <derivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Employee Stock Option (Right to Buy)</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>2.00</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <exerciseDate>
                <value>2002-10-24</value>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2012-10-24</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>10000</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeHolding>
        <derivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Stock Appreciation Right</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>1.99</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <exerciseDate>
                <footnoteId id="F2"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2015-08-11</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>15000</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeHolding>
        <derivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Stock Appreciation Right</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>3.93</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <exerciseDate>
                <footnoteId id="F3"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2016-08-10</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>17500</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeHolding>
    </derivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">Represents (a) 3,677 shares of common stock; and (b) 27,500 shares subject to issuance upon vesting of Restricted Stock Units (&quot;RSUs&quot;) granted to the Reporting Person pursuant to the Issuer's 2008 Incentive Stock Plan (the &quot;2008 Stock Plan&quot;).  An aggregate of 10,000 RSUs will vest in annual installments of 5,000 shares each on August 11, 2010 and August 11, 2011, subject to the Reporting Person's continued service with the Issuer.  An aggregate of 17,500 RSUs will vest in three annual installments beginning on August 10, 2010, subject to (a) the Reporting Person's continued service with the Issuer, and (b) the Issuer's achievement of certain performance goals.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">These Stock Appreciation Rights (&quot;SARs&quot;) were granted pursuant to the 2008 Stock Plan.  An aggregate of 5,000 SARs vested and became exercisable on August 11, 2009.  The remaining 10,000 SARs will vest and become exercisable in annual installments of 5,000 shares each on August 11, 2010 and August 11, 2011.  Upon exercise, the SARs will settle in stock.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F3">These SARs were granted pursuant to the 2008 Stock Plan and will vest and become exercisable in three annual installments beginning on August 10, 2010.  Upon exercise, the SARs will settle in stock.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ Mickeul B. Gibson</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2010-04-19</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
-----END PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----