When it comes to American justice, we all like to see it applied for its intended purpose. We like to see the wronged be righted, and criminals pay the price for their misdeeds.

We, however, especially like to see it rule the day when it’s a matter that concerns military veterans. And when the matter is specifically harrowing — ailing service members suffering — which is what happened in the following case …

… we want to see the wicked party go down in a ball of flames. Or, at least, be locked up for a long time.

And they did. A nurse from a VA hospital in Albany, New York was found guilty of stealing pain medication from dying veterans in hospice care. He was sentenced  last week to seven years in prison for the cruel act.

This from the Associated Press:

The U.S. Attorney’s Office says Nathan Baum of East Greenbush pleaded guilty in February to stealing the addictive painkiller oxycodone in 2014. Prosecutors say Baum removed oxycodone from at least 25 syringes and replaced it with haloperidol, an anti-psychotic medication that doesn’t relieve pain.

Baum’s actions were discovered when his supervisor noticed he was slurring his speech and showing other symptoms of narcotic abuse.

At Baum’s sentencing in federal court on Wednesday, family members of some of the hospice patients spoke of the pain and suffering he inflicted on dying military veterans.

We can only hope that this case deters others from mistreating veterans, and just at VA hospitals. Because if you do, you’re going to see the slammer, and ostensibly ruin your life.