8-K

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of

the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): September 2, 2004

RURAL/METRO CORPORATION

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

DELAWARE	0-22056	86-0746929
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation)	(Commission File Number)	(IRS Employer Identification No.)

8401 East Indian School Road

Scottsdale, Arizona

85251

(Address of Principal Executive Offices)

(Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (480) 606-3886

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below):

¨ Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

¨ Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

¨ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

¨ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

Item 5.02 Departure of Directors or Principal Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Principal Officers.

On September 2, 2004, Rural/Metro Corporation (the “Company”) issued a press release announcing the passing of Louis A. Witzeman, founder and member of the Board of Directors of the Company. The full text of the Company’s press release is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1.

Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits

(c) Exhibits.

Exhibit No.	Description
99.1	Press release, dated September 2, 2004

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

	RURAL/METRO CORPORATION
Date: September 3, 2004	By:	/s/ Michael S. Zarriello
		Michael S. Zarriello Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

EX-99.1

Exhibit 99.1

CONTACT:	Liz Merritt, Rural/Metro Corporation
	(480) 606-3337
	Financial Dynamics, Investor Relations
	Jim Byers (Investors)
	(415) 439-4504

For immediate release

RURAL/METRO CORPORATION ANNOUNCES PASSING OF

LOUIS A. WITZEMAN, FOUNDER AND CHAIRMAN EMERITUS

SCOTTSDALE, Arizona (September 2, 2004) – It is with great sadness that Rural/Metro Corporation (OTCBB: RURL) announces the passing of its founder and Chairman Emeritus, Louis A. Witzeman, Jr. Mr. Witzeman passed away tonight in Scottsdale following an extended illness. He was 79.

Jack Brucker, President and Chief Executive Officer, said, “We are saddened to lose a colleague, friend, and longtime industry leader. We honor Lou’s lifetime of dedicated service to Rural/Metro. He was a respected leader, whose innovation and hard work created the foundation of our company. Our sympathy goes out to his family at this difficult time.”

Since its founding in 1948, Rural/Metro has grown to one of the nation’s largest private providers of medical transportation and fire protection services. In 2000, Mr. Witzeman was named among the 20^TH century’s Top 20 most influential leaders in the U.S. fire industry by Fire Chief magazine. In 2001, he was inducted into the Arizona Fire Marshal’s Hall of Fame.

Today, Rural/Metro’s 9,000 employees serve more than 400 communities in 23 states. Mr. Witzeman, who retired from Rural/Metro in 1981, served on the Company’s Board of Directors until his death.

In more than a half century of service to the U.S. fire industry, Mr. Witzeman devoted himself to a wide variety of fire-related organizations, committees and associations. They include his role as a founding member and trustee of the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) Research Foundation, a member of the NFPA Advisory Council, member and former chairman of the NFPA Forest and Rural Technical Committee, and member and past president of the Private Emergency Services Association.

Rural/Metro Corporation provides emergency and non-emergency medical transportation, fire protection, and other safety services in 23 states and more than 400 communities throughout the United States. For more information, visit the company’s web site at www.ruralmetro.com.

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