Kevin Sampson Illustrator, painter, found object sculptor, composite sketch artist and teacherRetired police officer dead at age 71

Kevin Sampson, an American artist and police detective-composite sketch artist, died on March 18, 2026, in Newark, New Jersey, at age 71.

Born Kevin Blythe Sampson in Elizabeth, New Jersey, he lived in Newark and worked from a studio there. He made sculptures from discarded found objects and also worked as an illustrator, painter, muralist and teacher.

Sampson served as a police officer and later a detective with the Scotch Plains Police Department, where he worked as a composite sketch artist. He took early retirement after nearly 20 years to raise his two children.

Kevin Blythe Sampson (November 28, 1954 – March 18, 2026) was an American artist and police detective-composite sketch artist, who lived in Newark, New Jersey. He made sculptures from discarded found objects; he was also an illustrator, painter and muralist. His studio was based out of Newark.