East Providence cops, former Pat Spikes give young boy a special night

EAST PROVIDENCE — In the wake of a recent tragedy, the East Providence Police and a former New England Patriot shed a bit of sunlight.

The young son of Christine Santurri, the Riverside woman murdered by her ex-boyfriend on Mother’s Day of this year, was given a day to remember by members of the EPPD and a one-time Pats linebacker Brandon Spikes Friday, Sept. 4.

LJ Robinson Jr., Ms. Santurri’s nine-year-old boy who has Autism, was presented with a bounty of football memorabilia by EPPD Lieutenant Raymond Blinn and Detectives Matthew McNulty and Michael Spremulli.

“LJ hasn’t quite grasped this his mother isn’t coming home as he frequently asks for her,” Det. Spremulli explained. “About a month ago, Lt. Blinn and Det. McNulty went to court for the suspect. They felt compassion for the girl and LJ. Lt. Blinn learned that LJ is a football fan. Lt. Blinn and Det. McNulty came to me wanting to do something nice for the boy and the family because they were aware that the family was having both emotional and financial trouble.”

At the suggestion of Lt. Blinn, Det. Spremulli contacted Mr. Spikes, who is currently out of football and residing in his native North Carolina. The two had previously struck up a relationship through mutual friends. Mr. Spikes had also helped the EPPD with a fundraiser for injured officer Greg Tainsh. Det. Spremulli sent a message to Mr. Spikes, telling him about LJ’s story.

“We thought maybe a signed 8×10 would be nice or something like that,” Det. Spremulli said of Mr. Spike’s possible consideration. “A week later a box arrives at the station. I brought the box into the detective division, opened and was amazed at what was inside.”

In the box was a bevy of content including an official NFL game ball that was presented to Mr. Spikes after the biggest comeback win in Patriot history against the Denver Broncos. The ball was signed and personalized to LJ. Also included were a Patriots hat that Mr. Spikes wore at Super Bowl XLVI, signed and personalized; Mr. Spikes’ locker room name tag signed with a message, “when things get hard follow your dream;” a pair of official NFL gloves worn by players, signed and personalized to LJ; and three trading cards all signed and personalized.

Det. Spremulli later received a text from Mr. Spikes reading, ” I hope he like it.”

LJ did.

“I’ve never seen him so happy,” said LJ’s father, Lawrence Robinson Sr. after his son received his gifts. “He usually gets things and it’s like, alright. But when it’s one of his favorite teams, the Patriots or the Boston Red Sox, he get really excited. I don’t know who is favorite football player is, but after this I think his favorite playing just might be Brandon Spikes.”

In addition to the gifts, LJ got one other special treat, the chance to try on Mr. Spikes’ 2011 AFC championship ring. The ring was stolen by movers when Mr. Spikes left New England to play for the Buffalo Bills. He only discovered it was missing when notified the ring for up for sale on ebay. The ring, valued at approximately $20,000, recovered recently by Providence Police. Before sending it back to Mr. Spikes, he allowed Det. Spremulli to let LJ and his dad try it on for size.

Upon receiving all the gifts, LJ offered up a hearty, “Thank you, Brandon.”

“I felt this story is important for several reasons,” Det. Spremuli said. “The family is in need right now and have set up a GO Fund Me page. Brandon Spikes showed compassion for this young man went above and beyond what we ever expected. I feel that if this message gets out it may encourage more athletes and celebrities to help people in need. And members of the Detective Division like Lt. Blinn and Det. McNulty showed compassion for the young man and decided to go above to try to make LJ’s life a little better.”

“As difficult as this story has been, at least some good came out of it,” Det. Spremulli added. “It’s just good to see LJ smile.”