You might remember several tragic deaths putting a damper on the summer of 2012 in Highland Park and University Park. 

Thankfully, this year's hottest months have been relatively quiet and uneventful compared to the events of last summer. So far, there has only been one reported human case of West Nile fever in the Park Cities, and the only significant local headline-grabber has been the death of a crime suspect whom Highland Park police officers were forced to shoot, after the man slipped out of his handcuffs and shot at them.

These were the untimely incidents from last summer, if you need a reminder:

• MAY 28, 2012: Lee Dell Thomas Jr., 44, fell 150 feet to his death from a construction crane on the SMU campus, following a 15-hour standoff with police.

• JULY 7, 2012: 18-year-old University Park resident James Harrison died from a fire, which broke out in the kitchen of a duplex where he was sleeping in the 3700 block of Northwest Parkway.

• JULY 11, 2012: Highland Park resident John Rodman “Rod” Steele, 50, used a knife to attack his wife at their home, but she was able to defend herself with the help of their 16-year-old son. He then proceeded to the kitchen, where he took his own life. It was later reported that Steele, who was actively involved at Highland Park United Methodist Church, had a sleeping aid in his body and may have suffered hallucinations as a result of the drug.

• JULY 18, 2012: 44-year-old Louis Frederick Rothermel, who was a resident of Highland Park, died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound at a hotel in Dallas. Just days before, his 4-month-old son, who had Down syndrome, passed away from suspicious injuries. At first, HP police suspected murder, but they announced in spring of 2013 that no criminal charges would be filed.

• JULY 18, 2012: Well-known Highland Park resident Charles Pistor, an 81-year-old who was formerly First RepublicBank's vice chairman, died after contracting West Nile virus.

Though most of the deaths were what you might label “freak accidents,” UP city spokesman Steve Mace said the passing of James Harrison inspired the City to launch a Smoke Alarm Awareness campaign reminding residents to get smoke detectors installed or inspected.

The UP Fire Department performed all installations and inspections for free and distributed approximately 4,500 door hangers around neighborhoods with “a high percentage of multi-family addresses,” Mace said.

“The hangers reminded residents to take a few minutes to make sure their smoke detectors were in working order. For years UPFD has provided free smoke detectors to residents, especially the aged and individuals with disabilities. The service includes coming to the home to check batteries and to make sure that units are properly installed and in full working order," he said. 

Since July 2012, 82 smoke detectors have been installed in UP homes.

Mace added that the fire department’s campaign was the City's way of producing “something positive from something tragic." 

Perhaps in response to Charles Pistor's death and the other human West Nile cases discovered in the Park Cities in 2012, both UP and HP have made concerted efforts in the last year to educate residents on the virus, providing information about mitigating standing water and other tips.

Around this time last year, Highland Park town officials commented on how tragic events are especially difficult on communities as small and tight-knit as the Park Cities, former BubbleLife reporter Matt Cobb wrote.

"While we are located in a metro area, there is a very small-town feel to Highland Park," said Bill Lindley, the HP town administrator. "The reactions from local residents [are] similar to what you would find in other smaller communities."

Here's to hoping we end the summer on a high note and that Park Cities residents stay safe, healthy and happy.

Reporting contributed by Matt Cobb