The widow of Michael Todd confided to the congregation at her husband’s memorial service today that he had told her he was sorry, and that he loved her, only hours before he died.

Carolyn Todd, 47, broke from the order of service at Manchester Cathedral to read an e-mail sent by the city's former police chief before his apparent suicide.

Her voice wavering with emotion, she told the dignitaries: “I would like to share with you just a few of the words my husband said to me in an e-mail written on the Sunday evening before he died: ‘I know that I love you sounds hollow but I do. I’m sorry’ ”.

She also thanked people who had sent cards and letters, especially those who had not known her address and simply sent them to “Mrs Todd, Nottinghamshire”.

Mrs Todd, dressed in a black trouser suit, gave way to her daughter Catherine, 16, a performing arts student, who sang Somewhere from the musical West Side Story. The lyrics left many visibly moved, and spontaneous applause greeted the last notes.

Mrs Todd has been anxious to answer reports that her 27-year-old marriage to the Chief Constable of Greater Manchester Police was over ever since her husband’s jacketless body was found beside a half empty bottle of gin at Blas Glas, on Tuesday March 11.

Since his death it has emerged that Mr Todd, 50, credited with transforming the force’s fortunes, had conducted a number of affairs with other women throughout his professional life. It is also understood that he fought depressive episodes.

Mrs Todd, who lives in Hallam, Nottinghamshire has been determined to redress the image of philandering husband with that of “loving and caring family man”, who was proud of his children and their achievements.

She walked beside Catherine and twin 13-year-old sons David and Matthew as they entered the cathedral for a service designed to pay public tribute to Mr Todd’s contribution to policing both in Manchester and more widely.

Jacqui Smith, the Home Secretary, Sir Ian Blair, the Metropolitan Commissioner, and his predecessor Lord Stevens were among the specially invited 1,000-strong congregation.

The Right Reverend Nigel McCulloch, the Bishop of Manchester, described Mr Todd as an approachable man, friendly and free from pomposity. He had an impressive intellectual rigour and was often to be found “up front, forward-thinking, challenging, taking police policy to new heights”.

In a reference to Mr Todd’s tragic death, the bishop suggested that a fine memorial would be a greater appreciation among the public for the difficult and dangerous job carried out by police officers.

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