Who is Ivan Ivanov from We the Living and what is their importance?

Ivan Ivanov is the patrol guard stationed at the point Kira where attempts to cross. He believes he sees something moving in the snow and shoots in that direction. He doesn't see anything move again and considers going to check. He decides, however, it's too far to walk in the snow and doesn't. Had he checked, he would have found Kira lying there fatally wounded.