Carl honestly didn't think his hat would attach such attention. The symbolism of the hat became lost to him over the years until it simply became his hat, with the simple knowledge it was Dad's hat.

The idea of using it to his advantage simply didn't occur to him.

"Well, I was told to go to the police to find people. I'm looking for Rick Grimes, my dad. He used to be a cop, so I was thinking he might have a job here."